INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ITALY-CANADA (QUEBEC) RESEARCH ACTIVITY 2015 DEVELOPMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURED CATALYSTS FOR THE CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY IN FUEL CELLS (R.E. 76/15)

This bilateral project between Italy (CNR-ITAE) and Canada-Quebec (INRS-EMT) entitled 'Development of nanostructured catalysts for the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy in fuel cells' (Sviluppo di catalizzatori nanostrutturati per la conversione di energia chimica in elettrica mediante celle a combustibile) deals with low cost, highly efficient and stable systems for the conversion of energy. The general objective of this activity is the development of new low cost nanostructured catalysts based on noble metal-free formulations for low temperature fuel cells. Replacing platinum-based catalysts with a more abundant material would greatly improve the outlook for the widespread development of fuel cells, i.e. a new technology for the direct conversion of energy with high efficiency. The new formulations must simulate the catalytic behavior of platinum. Catalysts based on nanostructured oxides of Ta and Zr have been characterized in terms of structural and chemical properties as well as electrochemical behavior. The main objective remains to modulate the chemical characteristics and surface in order to obtain electronic properties similar to Pt to ensure similar yields.