Fuel Cell Breakthrough: Nanoparticle Catalyst
Exciting news from UCLA on nanotechnology: 1 May 2025
Fuel Cell Breakthrough: Nanoparticle Catalyst Enables Leap in Lifespan
On May 1, a team of researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles announced they have developed a graphene-protected platinum catalyst that significantly extends hydrogen fuel cell lifespans, paving the way for cleaner, long-haul trucking. Published in Nature Nanotechnology, the innovation could enable fuel cells to operate for over 200,000 hours—nearly seven times the Department of Energy’s 2050 target.
“Heavy-duty fuel cell systems must withstand harsh operating conditions over long periods, making durability a key challenge,” said Dr. Yu Huang at UCLA Samueli. “Our pure platinum catalyst, enhanced with a graphene-based protection strategy, overcomes the shortcomings of conventional platinum alloys by preventing the leaching of alloying elements. This innovation ensures that the catalyst remains active and robust, even under the demanding conditions typical of long-haul applications.”
Nano Fixation is thrilled with this development because it shows use of nanomaterials to push the boundaries of fuel cells. “As a world-leader in nanofiber innovation, we are delighted to see that embedment of a catalyst reduces the need for critical metals,” said CEO John Finley. “We’ve pioneered a similar approach that can remove over 95 percent of critical metals. The applications are extensive, including lowering the production cost of chemicals, green hydrogen, pharmaceuticals, sensors, refining oil, semiconductors, and other products,” he said.
Fuel cells work by converting the chemical energy stored in hydrogen into electricity, emitting only water vapor and heat as byproducts. “This has made them a promising solution for cleaner transportation. However, the slow chemical reaction for the energy conversion has been a challenge, requiring a catalyst to achieve practical speeds,” according to the announcement.
“While platinum-alloy catalysts have historically delivered superior chemical reaction, the alloying elements leach out over time, diminishing catalytic performance. The degradation is further accelerated by the demanding voltage cycles required to power heavy-duty vehicles.”
Read the full article here.
Share how these new developments will affect your work or organization by posting your thoughts here.
