Development, characterization and application nanostructured and composite electrocatalysts and interactive supports for fuel cells and water electrolysis

The decrease of the amount of platinum in the platinum-based catalysts and the increase of durability of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, PEMFCs, have been recognized as the most important subjects to be overcome, before commercialization of the PEMFCs. CO2 free hydrogen fuel production from renewable and nuclear power is crucial and because of that very important for this commercialization. The key research issues of the proposed project are: 1) development and characterization of new interactive supports with improved durability for fuel cell, such as some conductive forms of TiO2 (Nb doped TiO2 and nanostructured forms of TiO2), and nonstoichiometric tungsten and molybdenum oxides (WOx and MoOx) which exhibit proton transfer capability and oxophilic nature, the desired characteristics for methanol oxidation and hydrogen oxidation in the presence of CO; 2) development of nanosized platinum and non-platinum catalysts for the oxygen reduction and hydrogen and methanol oxidation in acidic and alkaline solutions; and 3) development of non-noble composite electrocatalysts for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline membrane water electrolysis. The primary aim is focused on preparation procedure and characterization of the catalysts, including long-term testing.