Bio-inspired catalyst design could rival platinum

French scientists have demonstrated the potential of a new fuel cell catalyst inspired by hydrogenase enzymes. Although its activity doesn't yet match that of platinum, the researchers say it is the first useful biomimetic catalyst capable of operating under fuel cell conditions.

In a hydrogen economy, power would be generated by oxidising stored hydrogen in fuel cells. This reversible reaction - the opposite of which produces hydrogen through the electrolysis of water - can be driven by platinum-based catalysts. Nature, however, in hydrogenase enzymes, has evolved a way of doing this without the need for such rare metals and thus borrowing from nature's design may be a way to create fuel cell catalysts on the cheap.  More...

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2009/December/03120902.asp