Tsinghua University researchers have developed a way to combine high-cost platinum and a rare earth element, lanthanum, to serve as a catalyst in fuel cells. Meanwhile, SSAB, LKAB, and Vattenfall have revealed plans to launch industrial production of hydrogen direct reduced sponge iron (H-DRI) by the end of this decade. October 18, 2022 Sergio Matalucci Image: Tsinghua University Tsinghua University researchers have devised a way to combine high-cost platinum and a low-cost rare earth element, lanthanum, as an alloy to serve as a catalyst in fuel cells. The team obtained readily available lanthanum salts and trimesic acid, and these two precursor materials then self-assembled themselves into nano-scale “rods.” These nanorods were then impregnated with platinum at 900 C. The resultant platinum-lanthanum nanoparticles were then stress-tested for their performance in a fuel cell….
Ultra-stable platinum-lanthanum for more efficient fuel cells – pv magazine International
