Idemitsu Kosan has announced the development of a longer-lasting catalyst that uses ruthenium.

The company states it has created the catalyst for use in fuel cells where the hydrogen is generated from kerosene and water in a heated reaction chamber, reports Fuel Cell Works.

Current catalysts have a relatively short lifespan, meaning that producing enough hydrogen from kerosene to make it a viable option for fuel cells is a costly and high-maintenance operation.

However, Idemitsu's development of a long-life catalyst could mean that there is greater potential for the use of fuel cells which are powered from hydrogen derived from kerosene.

The new catalyst is made up of tiny alumina spheres which are coated in ruthenium and a proprietary additive which can speed up the dissociation of water, preventing the hydrocarbon molecules from clumping together and attaching themselves to the catalyst.

In other catalysts, it is this clumping together which results in a retardation of the success of the catalyst and is why they have such short lifespans when used in this reaction.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd