A groundbreaking method that uses soundwaves to recycle fuel cell components could help prevent harmful chemicals from polluting the environment.
Researchers from the University of Leicester have developed a technique that separates valuable materials from fuel cells without the need for harsh chemicals.
This achievement, published in RSC Sustainability and Ultrasonic Sonochemistry, is seen as a major step forward in sustainable technology.
The focus of the research is on PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”
These synthetic compounds are found in various products, including fuel cells and water electrolyzers—key parts of hydrogen-powered vehicles like cars, trains, and buses.
PFAS are known for their strong chemical bonds, which make them almost impossible to break down, leading to long-lasting contamination of water supplies.
This has raised serious environmental and health concerns, prompting the Royal Society of Chemistry to call for government action to reduce PFAS levels in UK water.
Fuel cells rely on catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs) that contain precious metals like platinum. These materials are essential for energy conversion but are notoriously difficult to recycle because they are tightly bonded to PFAS membranes.
Until now, separating these layers required strong chemicals and complicated processes that were neither cost-effective nor environmentally friendly.
The researchers at Leicester found a solution. By soaking the fuel cells in an organic solvent and then applying high-power ultrasound, they were able to separate the valuable metals from the PFAS membranes in under a minute.
According to Dr. Jake Yang from the University of Leicester School of Chemistry, the method is not only simple but scalable, offering a way to recycle these critical components without toxic chemicals.
Yang noted that this innovation could help build a circular economy for platinum group metals, making hydrogen energy technology more sustainable and affordable.
Building on their initial success, the team introduced a new continuous recycling process using a device called a blade sonotrode.
This tool uses high-frequency ultrasound to peel apart the layers of the fuel cells, creating tiny bubbles that burst under pressure. This allows the precious metals to be separated from the membranes almost instantly, at room temperature. The method is efficient, environmentally safe, and economically viable.
The research was conducted in collaboration with Johnson Matthey, a leader in sustainable technologies. Ross Gordon, Principal Research Scientist at Johnson Matthey, described the technology as a “game-changer” for fuel cell recycling. He emphasized that this method could significantly lower the costs of hydrogen-powered energy while promoting cleaner technology.
As the demand for hydrogen fuel cells continues to rise, this innovative recycling technique could pave the way for greener and more cost-effective energy solutions, helping to reduce environmental pollution while supporting the global push toward clean energy.
