A research team has developed an alternative catalyst that would significantly reduce the cost of a hydrogen fuel cell.

The pan-European team believes that their iron-based catalyst could “make fuel cells a real viable alternative to fossil-fuel-powered vehicles.”

Current hydrogen fuel cells are developed using platinum, an extremely rare element, which drives the price up due to the scarcity of materials for the components. Should a cheaper metal be used rather than platinum, the price of a fuel cell would decrease.

The researchers have discovered that single-atom iron has properties that differ to that of bulk iron. Additionally, iron is the most common element by mass on earth, making it a much cheaper option.

When dispersed in a charged carbon matrix the iron was shown to be more reactive, almost to the same degree as platinum. Utilising a single-atom iron as a catalyst, instead of the more expensive platinum, can produce results close to those of platinum, but at a fraction of the cost.

This advancement can also find a use in other fields, paving the way for technology of the future.