Science, Space and Technology News 2024
Researchers at Chiba University have discovered that adding caffeine to the platinum electrodes of fuel cells can significantly improve their efficiency by enhancing the oxygen reduction reaction. This breakthrough has the potential to lower the platinum requirements, thereby making fuel cells more cost-effective and efficient.
However, the presence of water affects the performance of the fuel cell. It reacts with the platinum catalyst, forming a layer of platinum hydroxide on the electrode, which obstructs the efficient catalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction , leading to energy losses. To maintain efficient operation, fuel cells require a high Pt loading, which significantly increases the costs of fuel cells.
“Caffeine, one of the chemicals contained in coffee, enhances the activity of a fuel cell reaction 11-fold on a well-defined Pt electrode of which atomic arrangement has a hexagonal structure,” says Prof. Hoshi.To assess caffeine’s impact on the ORR, researchers measured current flow through platinum electrodes immersed in an electrolyte containing caffeine. These platinum electrodes had surface atoms arranged in specific directions, namely , , and .
Unlike batteries with limited lifespans, fuel cells can generate power as long as fuel is supplied, making them suitable for various applications, including vehicles, buildings, and space missions. The proposed method has the potential to improve the designs of fuel cells and lead to their widespread use.
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