Hydrogen Fuel Cell: DGIST’s Platinum-Calcium Alloy Catalyst Exceeds DOE 2025 Targets

Meet the Catalyst

DGIST researchers led by Professor Jong-sung Yu have developed a groundbreaking platinum-calcium alloy core-shell nanoparticle catalyst that shatters the U.S. DOE’s 2025 targets for hydrogen fuel cells. Using a precise liquid-phase synthesis on carbon supports, they wrapped a calcium-rich core in a platinum shell—boosting fuel cell chemistry to a whole new level.

Performance Highlights

• Over 20% boost in mass activity and durability versus DOE’s targets
• Up to 40% cut in platinum usage, driving down material costs
• Maintains more than 90% of its performance after 30,000 stress cycles

From Lab to Real World

With help from theorists at the University of Duisburg-Essen, they confirmed the alloy’s superior binding energies. Published in Small and backed by the Korea’s National Research Foundation, this breakthrough could trim fuel cell system costs by up to 20%, bringing cost-competitive hydrogen vehicles and stationary power units within sight—and giving fuel cell technology a serious edge.

Next Steps

Next up: scaling production, securing calcium supply chains, and fitting this catalyst into commercial stacks. Hit those milestones, and we’ll kickstart stronger hydrogen infrastructure—powering a future driven by green hydrogen and sustainable energy.

Get access to the paper here