Hello dear colleagues,

Normally the requirement for the service life of the automotive fuel cell is around of 5,000 hours (~ 240,000 km). Currently many academic groups and companies are investigating techniques to extend this operation time life of the fuel cells.

(e.g. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234912519_Durability_of_PEFCs_at_High_Humidity_Conditions)

Although the research tendency is to use the lowest possible amount of noble metals (such as platinum) in the fuel cell catalyst, (e.g. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260634251_A_micro_alkaline_direct_ethanol_fuel_cell_with_platinum-free_catalysts),

there are also many groups that investigate efficient techniques to try recycle that metal catalysts used in the fuel cells. (e.g. http://ma.ecsdl.org/content/MA2012-01/40/1527.full.pdf)

I hope this has helped you.

Best regards.

Article Durability of PEFCs at High Humidity Conditions

Article A micro alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell with platinum-free catalysts