In a transformative leap for hydrogen fuel cell technology, researchers from Tianjin University have engineered a novel nitrogen-doped carbon support exhibiting a unique tree-like architecture, poised to revolutionize the economic and functional landscape of low-platinum fuel cells. This groundbreaking innovation addresses longstanding barriers associated with cost, efficiency, and durability—three pillars critical for the commercial viability of hydrogen-powered transportation.
Fuel cells, known for their promise as clean energy converters, have historically faced a critical challenge: platinum, the indispensable catalyst facilitating critical electrochemical reactions, constitutes nearly 40% of the system’s cost. Efforts to reduce platinum loading to manageable levels without sacrificing performance have been stalled due to the catalyst’s tendency to agglomerate and degrade, compromising the longevity and power output of fuel cell devices. The Tianjin University team’s approach pivots on a sophisticated carbon support structure, crafted at the nanoscale to optimize platinum utilization and operational resilience.
Central to their innovation is the integration of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a robust, conductive backbone, synergistically combined with branches derived from ZIF-8—a metal-organic framework synthesized from 2-methylimidazole zinc salt. This assembly constructs a highly ordered, tree-like morphology that ensures extensive Pt catalyst site attachment, facilitating uniform nanoparticle dispersion. The architecture is meticulously designed to create streamlined pathways for reactant gas diffusion and product water removal, mitigating concentration polarization losses that often plague conventional fuel cell electrodes.
Experimental evaluations spotlight the remarkable performance improvements conferred by the Pt/T-NC (tree-like nitrogen-doped carbon) system. Under conditions simulating practical fuel cell operation, with cathode platinum loading as low as 0.1 mg/cm², the T-NC-supported catalyst outperformed traditional Pt/C analogs by a substantial margin. Notably, peak power density surged by 12.7% to reach an impressive 0.93 W/cm². Additionally, the system demonstrated a 30% decrement in concentration overpotential at 2.0 A/cm²—a crucial metric signifying enhanced mass transport efficiency—and a 21.6% reduction in oxygen transport resistance independent of pressure, collectively underscoring optimized reactant accessibility.
One of the paramount advantages of this structure lies in its exceptional stability metrics. Fuel cell durability, especially for heavy-duty vehicular applications requiring thousands of operational hours, remains a formidable hurdle. The advanced graphitization afforded by the T-NC support substantially enhances corrosion resistance, a key determinant of longevity in acidic, high-potential electrochemical environments. Upon subjecting the Pt/T-NC fuel cells to 5000 accelerated durability test cycles mimicking carbon corrosion, the electrode retained more than half of its initial performance—50.8% retention—outstripping conventional Pt/C electrodes which held only 38%. Furthermore, the electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) exhibited significantly improved retention, and platinum nanoparticle growth was effectively curtailed, limiting deleterious aggregation.
The synthesis process underlying this tree-like carbon support is both elegant and industrially scalable. Initial functionalization of MWCNTs introduces defect sites and oxygen-containing functional groups that prime the substrate for uniform nucleation. Subsequent in-situ growth of ZIF-8 crystals encapsulates these nanotubes in a core-shell precursor structure. Controlled high-temperature calcination then volatilizes zinc content, carving porous, nitrogen-doped carbon branches that mimic tree-like branching structures. This overall design counters two prevalent deficiencies in traditional carbon supports: random, tortuous pathways hampering mass transfer, and vulnerability to oxidative degradation leading to rapid catalyst loss.
This spatially ordered macro-to-microscale hierarchy fosters superior gas diffusion and water management, critical to maintaining optimal triple-phase boundaries where electrochemical reactions occur. Additionally, nitrogen coordination sites act as strong anchors for platinum nanoparticles, mitigating detachment and agglomeration—primary causes of performance degradation during prolonged fuel cell operation. The ability to maintain nanoparticle sizes near 3.73 nm uniformly distributed across the support further ensures maximal active surface exposure and catalytic efficiency.
Beyond its technical elegance, the T-NC system integrates seamlessly with existing fuel cell manufacturing workflows, leveraging commercially accessible raw materials and scalable synthesis techniques. This compatibility strengthens its prospects for rapid adoption in automotive applications spanning from light-duty passenger vehicles to heavy-duty trucks. By substantially lowering platinum requirements without compromising power and durability, the technology promises to bring hydrogen fuel cell vehicles closer to cost parity with incumbent fossil-fueled transport modes.
Professor Kui Jiao, corresponding author of the study, emphasizes the industry-changing potential of this advancement: “Our T-NC support bridges the gap between theoretical catalytic activity and practical fuel cell performance, enabling low-platinum fuel cells to meet stringent cost and durability benchmarks required for widespread automotive deployment.” This breakthrough dovetails perfectly with global ambitions to accelerate the transition to low-carbon transportation, fostering sustainable mobility and energy systems in harmony with climate goals.
As the hydrogen economy continues to gain momentum, innovations like the T-NC nitrogen-doped carbon support are pivotal. They exemplify how nanoscale engineering and materials chemistry can converge to surmount entrenched technological barriers, catalyzing the adoption of zero-emission vehicles worldwide. Beyond transportation, the principles demonstrated may extend to other electrochemical applications demanding robust, high-performance catalysts, such as electrolyzers and stationary power systems.
In summary, the Tianjin University team’s tree-like nitrogen-doped carbon catalyst support embodies a remarkable stride forward in fuel cell science. Its ingenious design, superior electrochemical performance, and industrial applicability underscore a promising trajectory toward commercially viable, durable, and economically competitive hydrogen fuel cells—laying a strong foundation for a clean energy future predicated on innovation and sustainability.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: Anti-corrosion carbon support for mass transfer enhancement in low-platinum loaded fuel cells
News Publication Date: 17-Oct-2025
Web References: DOI: 10.1007/s11708-025-1042-0
Image Credits: HIGHER EDUCATION PRESS
Keywords
Energy
