Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
Effect of Semi-labile Multidentate Ligands on Oxygen Reduction Reaction Performance of Non-precious Metal Catalysts
Categories for this Invention
Categories: Chemistry & Chemical Analysis
Industry: Energy, Materials Science, Catalysis
Applications: Fuel Cells, Metal-Air Batteries, Renewable Energy Storage Systems, Catalyst Development, Electrochemical Catalysts, Clean Energy Technologies, Catalyst Manufacturing, Electrochemical Applications
Market: Manganese Market size was values at $25.9B in 2021, likely to reach $56.39B by 2030, rising at 9% CAGR between 2021-30.
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Problem Statement
- High cost & platinum’s limited availability hinder the widespread use of conventional catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells and metal-air batteries.
- Existing non-precious metal (NPM) catalysts struggle to match oxygen reduction activity compared to platinum, creating barrier for making cost-effective alternatives.
- There is an urgent need of a stable & highly effective NPM catalyst, mainly manganese-based, while also understanding the role of semi-labile multidentate ligands like EDTA.
- The lack of standard preparation method is currently limiting the scalability and reliability of NPM catalyst production.
- Hence, there is a need to develop a cost-effective and highly efficient NPM catalyst, focusing on limitations in current alternatives.
Technology
The present invention technology discloses the development of a non-precious metal (NPM) catalyst, specifically manganese-based, with a focus on improving oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance. The method includes the use of semi-labile multidentate ligands like EDTA, aiming to enhance catalyst’s efficiency and offer a cost-effective alternative to platinum-based catalysts.
Method:
Carbon Source Dispersal:
- Disperse a carbon source (e.g., Ketjenblack) in an aqueous medium.
Metal Precursor Addition:
- Add a metal precursor (e.g., MnO2) to the dispersed carbon, ensuring continued dispersion.
Freezing and Freeze-Drying:
- Freeze the dispersion using liquid nitrogen to prevent phase separation and crystal growth.
- Freeze-dry the metal precursor-loaded carbon, maintaining stability.
Nitrogen Precursor Addition:
- Add a nitrogen precursor (e.g., melamine) to the freeze-dried metal precursor-loaded carbon.
Pyrolysis:
- Pyrolyze the mixture in a closed vessel (vacuum-sealed quartz container) to obtain the NPM catalyst.
Multidentate Ligand Addition:
- Add semi-labile multidentate ligands (e.g., EDTA) to the electrolyte solution to enhance ORR activity.
Key Features / Value Proposition
User Perspective:
- Improved ORR Activity: Enhanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance, providing users with more efficient and reliable fuel cells and metal-air batteries.
Industrial Perspective:
- Cost-Effective Solution: Offers industries a cost-effective alternative to platinum-based catalysts, promoting economic viability in clean energy applications.
Technical Perspective:
- Novel Catalyst Design: Utilizes manganese based structures & semi-labile multidentate ligands like EDTA, introducing a unique approach to NPM catalyst development for superior electrochemical performance.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact For Licensing
sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in
ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in
Research Lab
Prof. Kothandaraman Ramanujam
Department of Chemistry
Intellectual Property
- IITM IDF No: 1097
- Patent Grant Number: 324235
Technology Readiness Level
TRL – 4
Experimentally validated in lab.