Tech Briefs
Savannah River National Laboratory
Non-Platinum Group Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts
Technology Overview
Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) has developed novel methods for producing non-platinum group metal electrocatalysts effective for the reduction of oxygen in fuel cells and other electrochemical reactions.
Benefits
- Low cost production of efficient catalysts
- Precious metal free catalysts
- Single step formulation
- Tailored porosity, surface groups, and metal doping
- Electrically conductive materials
Applications
- Fuel cells
- Electrolysis
- Heterogeneous catalysis
- Catalyst support
- Gas separation
Description
SRNL has developed state of the art methods for forming oxygen reduction reaction catalysts. This method can include reacting monomers in a melt in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst to form a three-dimensional polymeric framework. Linkages formed between the monomers upon reaction can include at least on heteraryl group that contain at least one nitrogen hetero atom, which is available to forma coordinate bond with a metal ion. The electrocatalyst may optionally include additional chelates to modulate the electrocatalytic activity. These materials can be used in membrane electrode assemblies can be designed for use in low temperature fuels cells.
Intellectual Property
This technology and methods for its use have been granted U.S. Patent No. 10,490,825 B2 (November 26, 2019), “Non-Platinum Group Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts” and is available for licensing.
Partnering Opportunities
SRNL invites interested companies with proven capabilities in this area of expertise to develop commercial applications for this process under a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) or licensing agreement. Interested companies will be requested to submit a business plan setting forth company qualifications, strategies, activities, and milestones for commercializing this invention. Qualifications should include past experience at bringing similar products to market, reasonable schedule for product launch, sufficient manufacturing capacity, established distribution networks, and evidence of sufficient financial resources for product development and launch.
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Contact Information
Savannah River National Laboratory
E-mail: partnerships@srnl.doe.gov