Our new range of catalysts for PEM technology, HyPer, is the culmination of a cross company development program using our teams of scientists in the US & UK. This has achieved a range of products which offer improved durability and give higher electrochemical performance aiding the further adoption of this vital technology in the fight against climate change.
Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology relies on catalysts, namely platinum, iridium & alloys containing PGM’s. It is the use of heterogeneous platinum group metal catalysts that allows PEM technology to give superior flexibility (such as rapid start up) and high levels of performance at ambient temperatures.
PGM’s are relatively rare metals and trade at relatively high prices. To mitigate this, the metals are used in finely dispersed form to maximize the surface to volume ratio. Today, the best catalysts consist of 2-8 nm particles displaying a very large specific surface area.
In fuel cells, to prevent the sintering of these small nanoparticles, which can cause a decrease in catalytic activity during operation, the metal is often deposited on high surface area supports to prevent particle-particle contact. This also reduces the amount platinum required optimizing the use of the metal and limiting the impact on price.
The HyPer range uses an improved metal deposition technique, specialist selection of carbon support materials and post production treatments to achieve their improved durability and higher electrochemical surface area.
