Nisshinbo has developed a new type of catalyst for the core power generation equipment of fuel cell vehicles. The new type of catalyst reduces the use of the precious metal, platinum, to one third. In addition to saving expensive platinum, the new material can also achieve the miniaturization of power generation equipment, and the cost of the equipment itself can be reduced by 10-15%. The launch of new materials will help fuel cell vehicles achieve lower prices. Nisshinbo's new materials will strive to be practical in 2025.
The new material allows platinum particles to attach to the small pores of carbon, a special molecular structure with a catalyst function. The power generation efficiency and durability are more than 3 times that of platinum catalysts. Not only platinum, but the amount of catalyst itself can be reduced to about one-third. Each fuel cell vehicle currently on the market uses about 30 grams of platinum. If you use Nisshinbo's new material, you only need 10 grams. Allegedly, the use cost of platinum including processing fees is expected to be reduced from the previous 300,000 yen (about 20,000 yuan) to 100,000 yen (about 6,500 yuan).
As the amount of catalyst used decreases, the electrode will become smaller, and the core power generation equipment called "stack" can be reduced by about 10%. In addition to reducing the overall cost of the equipment, it can also expand the interior space of the car, and the freedom of body design will also increase. Nisshinbo has begun to supply new materials to large automobile manufacturers.
In the "Basic Hydrogen Energy Strategy" formulated by the Japanese government at the end of 2017, it was mentioned that the sales of fuel cell vehicles will be increased to 800,000 in 2030. Countries such as Europe and China are also promoting the popularization of fuel cell vehicles through policies such as strengthening environmental protection, and automakers from various countries are racing to promote R & D. Expensive prices are one of the reasons for the current sluggish sales of fuel cell vehicles. Reducing costs by reducing the use of platinum and other technologies is regarded as the key to the popularity of fuel cell vehicles. If Nisshinbo's new materials are put into practical use, they will play an active role.