Economically viable hydrogen uptake requests very low platinum, or ideally, platinum-free catalysts since this expensive and scarce metal is not a sustainable resource.1 A competitive alternative should be found in living micro-organisms metabolizing hydrogen thanks to specific enzymes called hydrogenases.2 We will describe how the combination of a bio-inspired molecular approach with nanochemical tools,3 through the attachment of mimics of hydrogenase active sites on carbon nanotubes results in nanostructured nickel-based H2-evolving cathode materials with remarkable performances: high reaction rates, bidirectional activity for H2 production or oxidation without any overvoltage, exceptional stability and compatibility with the Nafion technology used for the development of PEMFC and PEM-electrolyzers.4,5 We will then report on our recent studies regarding the optimization of such materials and their implementation as the anode catalyst in operational PEM fuel-cell in combination with cobalt-based cathode nanocatalysts.6-8 (1) Chenevier, P.; Mugherli, L.; Darbe, S.; Darchy, L.; DiManno, S.; Tran, P. D.; Valentino, F.; Iannello, M.; Volbeda, A.; Cavazza, C.; Artero, V. C. R. Chim. 2013  , 16, 491-516.(2) Simmons, T. R.; Artero, V. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013  , 52, 6143-6145.(3) Le Goff, A.; Moggia, F.; Debou, N.; Jegou, P.; Artero, V.; Fontecave, M.; Jousselme, B.; Palacin, S. J. Electroanal. Chem. 2010  , 641, 57-63.(4) Le Goff, A.; Artero, V.; Jousselme, B.; Tran, P. D.; Guillet, N.; Metaye, R.; Fihri, A.; Palacin, S.; Fontecave, M. Science 2009  , 326, 1384-1387.(5) Tran, P. D.; Le Goff, A.; Heidkamp, J.; Jousselme, B.; Guillet, N.; Palacin, S.; Dau, H.; Fontecave, M.; Artero, V. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011  , 50, 1371-1374.(6) Morozan, A.; Jegou, P.; Jousselme, B.; Palacin, S. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2011  , 13, 21600-21607.(7) Morozan, A.; Jegou, P.; Pinault, M.; Campidelli, S.; Jousselme, B.; Palacin, S. Chemsuschem 2012  , 5, 647-651.(8) Morozan, A.; Jousselme, B.; Palacin, S. Energy Environ. Sci. 2011  , 4, 1238-1254.

Implementing bio-inspired nickel-based nanocatalysts for hydrogen uptake in a PEMFC

247th National Meeting (2014)

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