Catalyst Development and Application for Electrochemical Storage and Conversion at the German Aerospace Center (DLR)

Kurzfassung

Fuel cells, electrolyzers for hydrogen generation from renewable energy, and batteries with superior energy density are acknowledged as essential parts of the necessary transition of the energy system as required by the commitments to climate protection in the frame of COP21 and COP22. With the ratification of these agreements by more than hundred countries it is to be expected that fuel cells, renewable hydrogen and batteries will become important options for emission reduction in many parts of the world. In this presentation an overview over the activities regarding catalyst development and application in fuel cells, metal-air batteries and electrolyzers at DLR will be presented. These include novel catalyst for the oxygen reduction in PEMFC, bifunctional systems for alkaline metal-air batteries and novel catalysts for oxygen evolution with superior activity to achieve reduction of Ir loading in PEM electrolyzer. In addition, some system applications of DLR are highlighted to provide an impression of the overall research and development priorities.