Toyota Discloses New Nano-Catalysts for Fuel Cells with Improved Efficiency and Reduced Platinum Loading

Toyota researchers have developed a fuel cell catalyst carrier that bears a catalytic nano metal densely by coordinating the catalytic metal to a specified compound. The material has excellent catalytic activity and can improve power generation efficiency when used as a catalyst for fuel cells. The new catalyst is expected to contribute “to spreading the use of fuel cells,” according to Toyota researchers in U.S. Patent Application 20100015506.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of the preparation of a catalyst material using 2-(1H-pyrrol-3-ylpyridine) as a polymerizable ligand. The materials have higher catalytic performance and serviceability, particularly as electrode material for fuel cells.

Heat treating (burning) the catalyst material results in further improvement of oxidation reduction performance of the catalyst material. Thus, the catalyst material having undergone heat treatment (burning) may have a sufficient catalytic performance required when it is used for fuel cells etc., thereby having serviceability. 

The peak potential of oxygen reduction obtained by cyclic voltammetry (cv) and rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurement is 0.54 V vs. SCE and the number of the electrons involved in the reaction is close to 4. This performance is comparable to the catalyst performance of platinum or its alloys which are currently used as an electrode catalyst material for the cathodes (oxygen or air electrodes) of fuel cells. This clearly shows that the catalyst material can be used as an electrode catalyst material for the cathodes (oxygen or air electrodes) of fuel cells. 

Recently, many investigations have been made of electrode systems, as electrode catalysts, which have undergone surface modification with a macrocyclic compound, such as porphyrin, chlorophyll, phthalocyanine, tetraazaannulene or Schiff base, or a derivative thereof. These electrode systems are expected to be applied, as electrode catalysts which take the place of platinum (Pt) and its alloys, to the cathode of (oxygen-hydrogen) fuel cells, such as phosphoric acid fuel cells or polymer electrolyte fuel cells, by utilizing the electrochemical multielectron reduction properties of molecular oxygen (O₂) due to such electrode catalysts. 

However, the catalytic activity of the electrode systems utilizing any of the above macrocyclic compounds is insufficient to use for fuel cells. Under these circumstances, there have been demands for development of catalyst materials having higher catalytic performance and serviceability.

To solve the above problem,  inventors Naoko Iwata, Makoto Yuasa, Kenichi Oyaizu, Ken Tanaka, Yuichi Iai, Masakuni Yamamoto, Shinichi Sasaki and Shigeru Kido examined the reasons that the electrode catalysts utilizing a macrocyclic compound do not have sufficiently high catalytic activity.  

As a result, they inferred from the examination that in the catalyst systems utilizing a macrocyclic compound, the density of active species is lowered when the species are supported on a catalyst support, whereby the catalytic activity of the catalyst systems is decreased. They found that if a catalyst support is coated with a heteromonocyclic compound or a polynuclear polymer derived from the heteromonocyclic compound, a lot of M-N4 structure where a catalytic metal is coordinated is formed, whereby a catalyst material with high catalytic activity is obtained.

The Toyota scientists created a durable catalyst material that includes a conductive material whose surface is coated with a polynuclear polymer formed by polymerization of a specific monomer, characterized in that the specific monomer or the polynuclear polymer formed by polymerization of the specific monomer is used as a polymerizable ligand and a catalytic metal is coordinated to the coordination sites of the polymerizable ligand. And they have finally reached the present catalyst formulation.

After dedicating their efforts to this investigation, Toyota’s inventors have found that when the polymerizable ligand is a ligand obtained by electrochemical polymerization under the specified conditions (voltage applied, solvent, supporting electrolyte), the resultant catalyst material bears active species densely and has significantly improved catalytic activity.

Further, after examining the characteristics of the conductive materials to be used as a support, the inventors found that when the conductive material has a specified specific surface area and average particle size, the resultant catalyst material has significantly improved catalytic activity. They have found that repeating the electrochemical polymerization and/or the coordination of a catalytic metal (metallation) more than one time is effective in increasing the density of active species supported on a catalyst support and in improving the catalytic activity of the catalytic material.

Also Toyota researchers found that using an ancillary ligand when repeating the electrochemical polymerization and/or the coordination of a catalytic metal (metallation) more than one time is effective in improving the coordination property of a catalytic metal, and they have reached the present invention. They have found that when a noble metal and a transition metal are coordinated to the coating layer at the same time, the resultant catalyst material has significantly improved catalytic activity.

Heat treating (burning) the catalyst material results in further improvement of oxidation reduction performance of the catalyst material. Thus, the catalyst material having undergone heat treatment (burning) may have a sufficient catalytic performance required when it is used for fuel cells etc., thereby having serviceability.

Ballard Power Wins $4.8 Million to Further Fuel Cell Transit Bus Development from Sustainable Development Technology Canada

Ballard Power Systems (Vancouver, Canada) reported on January 21^st that it has been awarded up to $4.8 million by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) for a project to further develop fuel cell power module technology for the transit bus market. Design improvements will be implemented on test buses to be operated in Metro Vancouver, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010.

"The Government of Canada is committed to supporting alternate sources of energy, including hydrogen," said the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. "By supporting innovative hydrogen and fuel cell research projects, such as Ballard's power module, we are putting more zero-emissions vehicles on the road while creating high quality jobs and improving the health of Canadians."

"Heavy duty diesel vehicles account for almost half of Canada's road transportation greenhouse gas emissions," said Vicky Sharpe, President and CEO of SDTC. "The technology developed by Ballard will increase the cost-effectiveness and performance of fuel cell hybrid buses, making them more accessible to public transit authorities and helping Canada to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions."

Michael Goldstein, Ballard's Chief Commercial Officer added "This level of support from the Canadian federal government and SDTC will have a measurable impact on the evolution of clean energy fuel cell products for commercial mass transit applications here in Canada and in locations around the globe."

In the development project funded by SDTC, Ballard and it's system integration partner, ISE Corporation, will design, assemble and test key sub-components for Ballard's FCvelocity(TM)-HD6 power module and the hybrid electric drive system. Refinement of this critical new technology will facilitate the commercial introduction of fuel cell hybrid buses by reducing cost, improving durability and robustness of select sub-systems, and improving overall bus performance.

Ballard's power module is a 'plug-and-play' fuel cell-based product that enables system integrators to build clean energy buses more easily and at lower cost. The fuel cell hybrid platform eliminates all emissions from bus tailpipes, while meeting the demands of range and duty cycle for virtually any bus route.

Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) provides clean energy fuel cell products enabling optimized power systems for a range of applications. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is an arm's-length foundation created by the Government of Canada which has received $1.05 billion as part of the Government's commitment to create a healthy environment and a high quality of life for all Canadians.

SDTC operates two funds aimed at the development and demonstration of innovative technological solutions. The $550 million SD Tech Fund(TM) supports projects that address climate change, air quality, clean water, and clean soil. The $500 million NextGen Biofuels Fund(TM) supports the establishment of first-of-kind large demonstration-scale facilities for the production of next-generation renewable fuels.

SDTC operates as a not-for-profit corporation and has been working with the public and private sector including industry, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the financial community and all levels of government to achieve this mandate.

www.sdtc.ca

Ballard Power Acquires Controlling Inerest in Denmark's Dantherm & Foothold in EU Backup Power Market for $6 Million

Ballard Power Systems has acquired a controlling interest in Denmark-based Dantherm Power, with  co-investors Danfoss A/S and Dantherm A/S, according to a company announcement on January 18^th.

Dantherm Power develops clean energy backup power systems, utilizing Ballard's hydrogen fuel cell technology, for telecom equipment suppliers including Motorola and Ericsson. The joint investment and partnering support from Ballard, Danfoss and Dantherm is expected to result in accelerated development of fuel cell backup power applications across Europe.

"Dantherm Power has a strong track record in fuel cell backup power systems in telecommunications, including the largest European fuel cell installation for TETRA emergency networks as well as for telecom service providers", said John Sheridan, Ballard's President and CEO. "Through this Dantherm Power investment, Ballard will now be actively involved with delivery of complete backup power systems, in addition to providing fuel cell stacks and power modules to leading companies including IdaTech, Plug Power, Baxi Innotech and ISE Corporation, in other markets."

Torben Duer, President and CEO of Dantherm A/S, which is a manufacturing partner of Dantherm Power, added "Dantherm Power is already supplying clean energy power products to some of our key customers, like Motorola. This investment will increase momentum behind fuel cell product development work at Dantherm Power and will help accelerate growth of fuel cell power in the backup telecom market."

"This strategic co-investment with Ballard, the leader in fuel cells, and Dantherm A/S creates a leading supplier of fuel cell power solutions", commented Niels Christiansen, President and CEO of Danfoss A/S. "We believe that this relationship will work well for our clean energy strategy, which today includes wind, solar and biofuels. We believe that fuel cell power can play an important role in our key markets, including renewable energy products and environmentally friendly heating."

Investment Details

Ballard is investing $6 million for a controlling interest in Dantherm Power, in two tranches between 2010 and 2012. Ballard will also provide knowledge and intellectual property related to core fuel cell technology. Dantherm Power will continue its current commercial initiatives, including sales of hydrogen-based products incorporating Ballard's fuel cell stack. In addition to its cash investment, Dantherm A/S will continue to provide operational support and collaborative sales and marketing activities through its worldwide sales organization. Danfoss A/S will invest cash, proprietary technology, expertise, as well as operational and commercial assistance through its network of 93 sites in 25 countries. Executives from the three companies will form a new board of directors for Dantherm Power.

Background

Ballard Power Systems provides clean energy fuel cell products enabling optimized power systems for a range of applications. Ballard provides fuel cell stacks to leading fuel cell companies including IdaTech, LLC, Plug Power Inc., Baxi Innotech GmbH, Heliocentris Fuel Cells AG and FutureE Fuel Cell Solutions GmbH. Ballard also provides power modules to system integrators seeking a 'plug-and-play' approach including, for example, ISE Corporation which integrates Ballard power modules with hybrid electric drives on transit buses. Now with this investment in Dantherm Power, Ballard will also be actively involved with the delivery of complete backup power systems for OEM's and other suppliers to the telecom sector in Europe.

About Dantherm Power

Dantherm Power is a 40-person company focused on development and production of commercially viable fuel cell-based backup power systems for use in IT and telecom network base stations. A significant recent market achievement has been the development, and deployment with Motorola, of 123 fuel cell based backup power systems for radio stations connected to Denmark's new public safety network - SINE. To learn more about Dantherm Power, please visit http://www.dantherm-power.com.

About Danfoss A/S

Danfoss A/S is one of the largest industrial companies in Denmark with a global group focused on development and manufacture of mechanical and electronic components for a number of industries, including solar energy, heating, industrial automation, water control and high pressure systems. Danfoss A/S generated revenue of 3.6B Euros in 2008, with over 26,000 employees in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and other regions. Danfoss A/S is actively involved in clean energy solutions based on solar, wind and biofuel technologies. To learn more about Danfoss A/S, please visit http://www.danfoss.com/OtherSites/NAdirect/group+global.

About Dantherm A/S

Dantherm A/S (NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen: DANTH) is, in addition a shareholder in Dantherm Power, parent company of the two business divisions: Dantherm Air Handling and Dantherm Filtration. Dantherm A/S has factories and sales companies in a number of European countries, the USA and Asia and offers products, solutions and services based on the mission - clean air for people. Dantherm Air Handling has a broad range of products for electronics cooling for the telecom industry, industrial and residential ventilation, dehumidification and heating/cooling. Dantherm Filtration is a leading worldwide supplier of industrial air filtration products, solutions and services to a wide range of industries. To learn more about Dantherm A/S, please visit www.dantherm.com.

About Ballard Power Systems

Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) provides clean energy fuel cell products enabling optimized power systems for a range of applications. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com

Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program Awards $6.38 Million to Six Firms to Advance Fuel Cell Technology in 2010

On December 17^th, Governor Ted Strickland, Eric Fingerhut, Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents and Chair of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission, and Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development and commission member, recommended $6.38 million in funding through the Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program. 

“Ohio Third Frontier is building a dynamic fuel cell network capable of meeting the demands of the new energy economy,” Strickland said. “Ohio’s leadership position in the fuel cell sector is because of strong collaboration with our industry partners and a commitment to creating jobs and companies that help strengthen Ohio’s position as a global energy leader.”  

The Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program supports research and development that addresses the technical and cost barriers to fuel cell components and systems commercialization in Ohio. The awards are contingent upon State Controlling Board approval. 

"These partnerships in the emerging fuel cell industry add to the Ohio Third Frontier's proven track record of catalyzing research into innovation, and innovation into jobs," said Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut. "The alignment of higher education with Ohio’s businesses will give companies an edge in the global marketplace." 

The Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program accelerates the development and growth of the fuel cell industry in Ohio by direct financial support to organizations seeking to: investigate near-term specific commercial objectives with respect to products, processes, or services; commercialize new products, commercialize manufacturing processes or technologies, or adapt or modify existing components or systems that can reduce the cost of fuel cell systems or address technical and commercialization barriers; or demonstrate market readiness. 

“Through our targeted investments, Ohio is creating a vibrant fuel cell industry from end-users to integrators, and material suppliers to component suppliers,” said Patt-McDaniel. “Ohio Third Frontier assists in developing the leading-edge research, development, and testing facilities that support the growth of Ohio’s robust fuel cell network.” 

Fiscal Year 2010 Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program Awards

Energy Technologies, Inc., located in the City of Mansfield (Richland County), in collaboration with Energy Conversion Devices, was awarded $1 million for its Testing Metal Hydride Fuel Cells project. The objective of this project is to develop and verify testing process and verification tools necessary to demonstrate the manufacturing repeatability of metal hydride fuel cell systems and their key subcomponents. 

Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc., located in the City of North Canton (Stark County), in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University, was awarded $999,770 for its Reliability of Fuel Cells for Megawatt Scale SOFC Power Systems project. This project will determine the long-term reliability of the Rolls-Royce solid oxide fuel cell. A method to predict performance will be developed so that qualification of the solid oxide fuel cell can be accelerated, and thereby reduce the time for entry into commercial stationary power markets. 

NexTech Materials, Ltd., located in Lewis Center (Delaware County), in collaboration with The Ohio State University and Hocking Technical College, was awarded $1.49 million for its Improving Manufacturing Readiness of NexTech’s Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack Technology project. In this project, a key piece of fuel cell manufacturing equipment will be installed at Hocking College’s Energy Institute providing a facility at Hocking College that will support NexTech and other Ohio companies in a range of energy generation and storage applications. NexTech will also design and manufacture mechanically robust and efficient stacks for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. The program is predicted to attract follow-on investment of over $50 million, and to create 156 high-paying jobs by 2016.  

Wellman Products Group, a Division of Hawk Corporation, located in the City of Solon (Cuyahoga County), in collaboration with UTC Power, a division of United Technologies Corporation, was awarded $893,252 for its Phosphoric Fuel Cell Stack Cost Reduction project. The goal of this project is to lower the material costs of the integrated separator plates (ISPs) that will be incorporated into UTC Power’s new PureCell® 400 System, power plants by employing lower cost raw materials and processing methods. 

Lockheed Martin MS2 Integrated Defense Technologies, located in the City of Akron (Summit County), in collaboration with Technology Management, Inc., was awarded $1 million for its Military Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Ruggedization project. This project will accelerate time to market for solid oxide fuel cell based generator sets (gensets) and auxiliary power units (APUs) to the U.S. Department of Defense, which is an early adopter with a pressing need for the basic value proposition.. This will result in jobs at Lockheed Martin in Akron, as well as at Technology Management, Inc. and other partners in the Ohio fuel cell supply chain within the next five years. 

UltraCell Corporation, located in the City of Vandalia (Montgomery County), in collaboration with the University of Dayton Research Institute and Mound Technical Solutions, was awarded $1 million for its Transitioning the UltraCell XX55® 55-Watt Fuel Cell from Beta Design to Commercial Product Through Manufacturing project. This project will focus on implementing efforts to transition manufacturing of the XX55® from UltraCell’s research and development facility in California to its manufacturing plant in Ohio. 

To view Ohio Third Frontier’s Fiscal Year 2009 Annual Report, as well as other program information, please visit www.OhioThirdFrontier.com.  

Ohio Third Frontier, an unprecedented and bipartisan commitment to create new technology-based products, companies, industries and jobs, has commercialized or created more-than 550 companies and attracted $3.5 billion in private investment to Ohio, a 9:1 return on investment since its inception. 

Panasonic Debuts New 20 Watt and 100 Watt Direct Methanol Fuel Cells, Plans Field Tests in 2012

Panasonic 20 Watt Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Image credit and source: Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation (Osaka, JP) reports it has developed a direct methanol fuel cell system which can produce an average power output of 20 W by increasing the output per cubic centimeter twice that of its previous prototype. Using this technology, Panasonic aims to develop a 100 W-class portable generator and start field testing in fiscal 2012 ending in March 2012.

Heightening environmental concerns and depletion of fossil fuels urge the development of alternative, clean energy with little greenhouse gas emissions. Great hopes are placed on the practical application of direct methanol fuel cells as an alternative, because they produce no air pollutants and significantly lower amount of CO2 than internal combustion engine generators.

In 2008 Panasonic developed compact fuel cell stacks by reviewing the structure of its connecting parts. It also developed compact and energy-efficient balance of plant (BOP) systems including a fuel supply pump that can directly mix and adjust the concentration of methanol internally. By improving the stack technology, Panasonic has successfully doubled the average power output to 20 W while retaining the same volume with the preceding prototype. The high output methanol fuel cell allows for powering feature-laden laptop computers, which have relatively high power consumption.

The new fuel cell system also boasts 5,000 hours of durability (based on eight-hour intermittent use per day). Durability was a major challenge for commercialization of fuel cells because power output drops as the electrodes deteriorate. Panasonic solved the problem by developing a technology that enables supplying high concentration fuel to the electrode.

Panasonic continues to work to increase output of direct methanol fuel cells, capitalizing on the above technologies that have achieved downsizing and high durability. As a next step, it plans to develop a portable generator with an average output of 100 W that will be much more compact than engine-generators. Combining the fuel cell generator with its high-capacity lithium-ion battery module, Panasonic aims to bring to market an outdoor power source that integrates energy-creation and energy-storage functions.

Panasonic 100 Watt Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Image credit and source: Panasonic

On the prototype fuel cell system, Panasonic holds 139 patents in Japan and 69 in other countries including pending applications.

[1] Direct methanol fuel cell: A fuel cell using a methanol aqueous solution as fuel which is directly fed into the generating part. The methanol (CH3OH) and water generate hydrogen ion and CO2 at the fuel electrode as shown below. At the air electrode, the hydrogen ion which has moved from the fuel electrode reacts with oxygen to generate electrical energy and water.

[2] Previous Panasonic prototypes: Displayed at the Hydrogen Energy Advanced Technology Exhibition 2008 held in Japan.

[3] Stack: The generating part of the fuel cell. A plurality of MEA (membrane electrode assembly consisting of fuel electrode, electrolyte membrane, and air electrode) are connected in series to form a fuel cell stack

[4] BOP (Balance of Plant): General name for power generation assisting devices, such as circuits controlling the power generation and pumps supplying air and fuel.

[5] Technology enabling high concentration fuel supply to electrode: Using micro porous layers that control the amount of fuel passing through them, this technology enables supplying highly concentrated fuel to the electrode and suppressing methanol "cross-over" which wastes fuel.

Direct methanol fuel cells and proton exchange membrane fuel cells use nanoparticles of platinum as they key catalyst in the electrochemical reaction often supported on nano-scale catalyst supports and both employ membrane with nano-pores. An iRAP study identified 3,870 organizations involved in fuel cells, hydrogen energy and related nanotechnology and spent an estimated $8.4 billion in 2008. More than 2,180 organizations are involved in nanotechnology related to fuel cells and hydrogen energy and will generate more than $4.7 billion in economic activity for sales as well as spending on research and development for fuel cells and hydrogen energy incorporating nanotechnology in 2009.

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 7.77 trillion yen (US$78.4 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2009. The company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE: PC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.

Source: Panasonic
Contact: Panasonic Corporation

Akira Kadota,

International PR

Tel: +81-3-6403-3040

Fax: +81-3-3436-6766

Panasonic News Bureau

Tel: +81-3-3542-6205

Fax: +81-3-3542-9018

Canon Water Repellent Nano-Catalyst Layer Improves Fuel Cell Performance and Lowers Cost

FIG. 8 is an atomic force microscope (AFM) image of Canon's water repellent nano-catalyst layer surface for polymer electrolyte fuel cells to power small electronic equipment, such as mobile phones,  notebook personal computers, or digital cameras.

Canon (Tokyo, JP) inventors Shinnosuke Koji, Kazuya Miyazaki, Yoshinobu Okumura, and  Kaoru Ojima created a water repellent nano-catalyst layer for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.  The hydrophobic property is imparted even to the inside of fine pores of the catalyst layer to improve water evacuation performance but in such a way that the effective surface area and the catalyst utilization ratio can be increased.

The catalyst shows improved evacuation performance of the water produced during the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.  It has a stable performance over a long period of time. It can be used to manufacture a more stable polymer electrolyte fuel cell “at a low cost,” according to Canon inventors in U.S. Patent Application 20090311578. 

In the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, in general, a fluororesin-based ion exchange membrane is used as a solid electrolyte of a proton conductor, and a catalyst, such as platinum or platinum-alloy fine particles having high catalyst activation, is used for promoting a hydrogen oxidation reaction and an oxygen reduction reaction. The electrode reaction occurs in a so-called three-phase interface (electrolyte--catalyst electrode--fuel) in a catalyst layer. In this case, there is a problem in that a voltage is gradually reduced as power generation time elapses, and power generation finally stops.

This is caused by a so-called "flooding phenomenon" in which water generated in the reaction is retained in spaces of the catalyst layer and the water fills the spaces in the catalyst layer, thereby inhibiting the supply of a fuel gas serving as a reactant. As a result, a power generation reaction stops. In particular, the flooding phenomenon is liable to occur in the catalyst layer on a cathode side, where the water is generated.

In order to prevent the flooding phenomenon, it is necessary to make the inside of the catalyst layer hydrophobic. There is a generally known method of mixing, with a catalyst layer including catalyst fine particles and a proton-conductive electrolyte, fluororesin-based particles, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), together with a solvent or a surfactant. However, this method has a problem in that the three-phase interface is reduced due to the presence of the PTFE particles, so that output power is also reduced.  The Canon water repellant catalyst does not reduce the three-phase interface.

The water repellent coating film includes molecules of a fluorine-based compound with a molecular weight of 10,000 or less. When the molecular weight is larger than 10,000, it is difficult to make the inside of the micro space in the porous catalyst layer hydrophobic.

In order to maximize the reaction surface area, the catalyst forming the catalyst layer includes catalyst particles or catalyst-carrying particles each with a particle diameter of several nm to several tens of nm, or a nano structural body formed of the catalyst nanoparticles. The catalyst layer constitutes a porous body and has fine pores each having a diameter of several nanometers (nm) to several hundreds of micrometers.

The fluorine-based is used as a precursor of the water repellent coating film, thereby enabling the formation of the water repellent coating film also on the inside of the  nanometer and micrometers  pores.  The inside of the micro space is also made hydrophobic, so the catalyst utilization ratio is increased, thereby enabling driving with a high output power for a long time. A nano structural body catalyst may be adopted irrespective of the size or the shape of the catalyst.

Examples of the fluorine-based compound with at least one polar group and with a molecular weight of 10,000 or less include perfluoro alcohol, perfluoro carboxylic acid, Demnum (manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.) used as a lubricating oil, surface treating agents, such as Krytox (manufactured by DuPont) and Novec EGC-1720 (manufactured by 3M).

The catalyst nanoparticles are manufactured from  a platinum oxide, a composite oxide of the platinum oxide and an oxide of a metallic element other than platinum.  Platinum is obtained by performing a reduction treatment of a platinum oxide or a multi-metal platinum composite.