Scavenger nanoparticles could advance fuel cell tech

Fuel cell technology relies on catalyst-driven chemical reactions to create energy. Lithium batteries can typically achieve a range of 100-300 miles on one charge, but are also vulnerable to the high cost of cathode materials and manufacturing, and require several hours to charge.

Alternatively, fuel cell systems take advantage of abundant elements such as oxygen and hydrogen and can achieve more than 400 miles on a single charge which can be done in under five minutes. The catalysts used to power their reactions are made of materials that are either too expensive (e.g platinum) or too quickly degraded to be practical.

US scientists have now reportedly developed an additive material that allows for a more durable, inexpensive iron-nitrogen-carbon fuel cell catalyst.

When added to the chemical reactions, researchers said the additive material protects fuel cell systems from two of its most corrosive by-products: unstable particles like atoms, molecules or free radicals and hydrogen peroxide.