World’s most durable Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Highlights:

• Scientists from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed world’s most durable Hydrogen Fuel Cell. 
• However, this hydrogen fuel is more cost cost-effective, and make ways for wider application of green energy in chasing carbon-neutral world.
• Hydrogen fuel cells are clean energy option;
• They generate power efficiently by converting hydrogen and oxygen into electricity.
• Zero carbon dioxide, particulate matter and other air pollutants are emitted in the process.
• Hydrogen fuel cells are not yet widely commercialized, despite they have several environmental benefits. This is so, because power generation capabilities of hydrogen fuel cell depend on an electrocatalyst. 
• The electrocatalyst earlier comprised of very expensive and rare metal platinum.
• Thus, researchers have tried to develop its alternatives by replacing platinum with more common and inexpensive materials such as iron, nitrogen or carbon.
• However, these alternative materials have either been proven inefficient in power generation or had poor durability.
• Now, scientists from HKUST have discovered a new formula. 
• This formula will reduce the proportion of platinum used by 80%. It will also set a record with respect to durability level of cell. 
• The new cell managed to maintain platinum catalytic activity at 97% after 100,000 cycles of accelerated stress test, as against the current catalyst whose performance reduced by 50% in 30,000 cycles. 
• No performance decay was reported in new fuel cell, after operating for 200 hours.