Challenges in Automotive Fuel Cells Recycling

Abstract

Fuel cell driven cars belong to the 'zero emission' vehicles and should contribute to lower CO 2 emissions. However, they contain platinum, which is known as a critical material in the European Union. This study investigated the potential contribution of recycling fuel cell vehicles (FCV) to satisfy the platinum demand arising from a widespread deployment of fuel cell vehicles in Europe. Based on a qualitative examination of the four consecutive steps in the recycling chain (collection, dismantling, disassembly and pre-processing, material recovery) of fuel cell vehicles, two recycling scenarios were developed. Using dynamic material flow analysis, these two recycling scenarios were applied to two scenarios for the market penetration of fuel cell vehicles in nine European lead markets to deliver both the associated impact on platinum demand and the contribution of recycling for meeting this demand. The diffusion of FCV in Europe will not cause a depletion of platinum resources in the short term, as the calculated 537.06 t and 459.24 t in cumulative platinum requirements are far below the currently estimated global reserves. However, concerns regarding the future development of platinum supply and demand remain.

Environmentally and Industrially Friendly Recycling of Platinum Nanoparticles Through Electrochemical Dissolution–Electrodeposition in Acid‐Free/Dilute Acidic Electrolytes

“…High power consumption, large initial investment, and environmental hazardous nature are among some of the drawbacks of the state‐of‐the‐art processes used for PGM extraction/recycling . Especially for spent catalysts from the electrodes of low‐working‐temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) consisting of Pt/Pt‐alloy nanoparticles supported on high surface area carbon and a fluorine‐containing ionomer, conventional recycling processes based on thermal treatment for removal of the catalyst support and ionomer phases produce large amounts of hazardous emissions such as fluorine compounds (e.g., HF) . Although capture of those harmful compounds is an option, it may significantly increase capital cost and also requires a rational disposal plan.…”

“…[6] Especially for spent catalysts from the electrodes of low-working-temperature polymere lec-trolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) consisting of Pt/Pt-alloy nanoparticles supported on highsurfacearea carbon and af luorine-containing ionomer, [13,14] conventionalr ecycling processes based on thermalt reatment for removal of the catalyst support and ionomer phases produce large amounts of hazardous emissions such as fluorine compounds (e.g.,H F). [15] Although captureo ft hose harmful compounds is an option, it may significantly increase capital cost and also requires ar ational disposal plan. Hence, despite the well-established extraction/recycling processes, alternative approaches for recycling of PGMs are of considerable interest.…”

A Structured Literature Review on Obsolete Electric Vehicles Management Practices

“…From a structural perspective, they can be considered a type of HEV, in which the fuel cell replaces the internal combustion engine. Using atmospheric oxygen and compressed gaseous hydrogen supplied from the on-board tank, the fuel cell generates electricity, which powers the vehicle's electric motor [13].…”

Surface Atomic Regulation of Core–Shell Noble Metal Catalysts

“…In addition, the demand for noble‐metal‐based catalysts is up to 45 % per year owing to booming green chemistry and renewable energy applications. However, the scarcity and high cost of noble metal catalysts are the key bottleneck restraining their development, leading many to query the economic feasibility of their ever‐expanding role …”

“…[4] In addition, the demand for noblemetal-based catalysts is up to 45 %p er year [5] owing to booming green chemistry and renewable energy applications.H owever,the scarcity andh igh cost of noble metal catalysts are the key bottleneck restraining their development, leadingm any to query the economic feasibility of their ever-expanding role. [5,6] One promising solution is to develop new architectures of noble metal catalysts. As am ajor category of heterogeneous catalysts, the core-shell type nanocatalystse xhibit appealing structures.…”