Scientists develop ultra‑stable five‑metal alloy catalyst for fuel cells

Hydrogen‑powered vehicles, stationary power stations and portable chargers all depend on fuel‑cell technology, in which a catalyst accelerates the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity and water. Conventional catalysts are based on platinum, a precious metal whose price approaches that of gold, making large‑scale deployment of fuel cells economically challenging.

A research team led by Southern Federal University, in partnership with Skoltech, the Institute of Catalysis of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Bauman Moscow State Technical University, has announced a new five‑metal alloy catalyst that significantly reduces material costs while improving durability. Laboratory tests show the alloy maintains its catalytic activity after 10,000 operating cycles, suggesting a longer service life and lower replacement frequency compared with traditional platinum‑based systems. The breakthrough could lower the overall cost of fuel‑cell components and accelerate the adoption of hydrogen energy across transportation and power‑generation sectors.