US' new platinum-free fuel cells could make clean energy affordable

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a novel platinum-free fuel cell catalyst that operates efficiently in alkaline conditions, potentially making hydrogen fuel cells more affordable and sustainable. Traditional fuel cells rely on expensive platinum catalysts to function in acidic environments, which drives up costs and limits widespread adoption. By shifting to alkaline media, the Cornell team utilized common, low-cost metals like nickel, addressing the cost barrier. The key innovation is a specially designed catalyst featuring nickel coated with an ultrathin carbon layer that protects the metal from degradation while maintaining high catalytic activity and electron flow. Testing demonstrated that this nickel-carbon catalyst, combined with other inexpensive materials, achieved power outputs exceeding targets for next-generation fuel cells, matching or surpassing the performance of platinum-based systems. Advanced microscopy and spectroscopy analyses confirmed that maintaining a metallic nickel surface is critical for effective hydrogen oxidation reaction catalysis, while preventing formation of deactivating nickel hydroxide species. This breakthrough could significantly reduce fuel cell costs, enhance durability, and reduce reliance on scarce precious metals, thereby