[Product Information] Launch of reagent sales of Platinum-loaded

CNovel™"MH-18-PT50",

electrocatalyst for fuel cells

March 31,2021
Launch of reagent sales of Platinum-loaded CNovel™ "MH-18-PT50”, catalyst for fuel cells

Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd. (Head office: Osaka, Chairman/ President/ CEO : Naotaka Kondo hereinafterreferred to as "Toyo Tanso") and N.E. CHEMCAT Corporation (Head office: Tokyo,President/Representative Director : Matsuru Kushida hereinafter referred to as " N.E. CHEMCAT ")have been working together on the development of electrocatalysts for fuel cells. In order to meet thegrowing needs of the expanding fuel cell market, Toyo Tanso has commercialized a new platinumloaded electrocatalyst for the fuel cell market, CNovel™ “MH-18-PT50", which will be available asa reagent from April 1, 2021.
Fuel cells are currently used in applications such as stationary (Residential) and FCV.

With thecontinued exploration of hydrogen as a clean source of energy, further improvements inperformance, lifespan, and costs are needed for expanded use of fuel cells. This is resulting in theincreased need for effective use of platinum catalyst, a key material for fuel cells.

CNovel™, a product of Toyo Tanso, is a porous carbon powder material with a unique pore structure
known as interconnected pores. In order to improve the electrochemical properties of the material, aunique heat treatment technique has been applied to enhance its functionality, and it has proven to bea high-performance catalyst support for fuel cells. [Fig.1]

N.E. CHEMCAT possesses advanced catalytic technology and has succeeded in producing highly

functional catalyst particles by optimally dispersing and loading platinum nanoparticles into thepores of CNovel™, taking advantage of its unique structure. [Fig.2]

We are pleased to announce the availability of reagents to facilitate the use of these highly functional
catalyst particles.

N.E. CHEMCAT will continue to work with Toyo Tanso for the further improvement and to stabilize

the supply of CNovel™ -based fuel cell catalysts in anticipation of future growth in demand.
This product, CNovelTM provides higher catalytic performance and higher durability compared tothe conventional catalysts support (e.g., carbon black). [Fig.3, 4 and 5]

It also contributes to lowering the cost of fuel cell systems, as the catalyst are dispersed andarranged optimally, and the performance can be stabilized even with a lower amount of catalyst thanconventional products.
Toyo Tanso’s new reagent allows users easier to obtain the platinum-loaded CNovel™ products,
MH-18-PT50 and the advantages the products offer.

[Definition of Terms]
Inter-connected pores: A structure consisting of mesopores (2 to 50 nm in diameter) connected toeach other[Major Applications]Electrocatalysts for fuel cell, platinum-based chemical catalysts[Main Features and Advantages]
1. Platinum loaded CNovel™ products can be used as a catalyst without any additional process.
2. Higher catalyst performance and durability compared to conventional catalyst (e.g., carbonblack).
3. Reduced amount of loaded platinum by optimal dispersion and arrangement.

[Production/Sales Plan]
Production base of CNovel™: Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd (Kondo Teruhisa Memorial Advanced Carbon
Technology Center, Osaka City, Osaka)
Production base of catalyst: N.E. CHEMCAT Corporation (Tsukuba Plant, Bando-City, Ibaraki)
Production schedule: 1 kg sample per month (Contact Toyo Tanso to request amounts greater than 1kg per month.)
Scheduled launched date of reagent: April 1, 2021

Fig.1 Illustration of CNovel™ (mesoporous carbons) and Pt-loaded CNovel™ "MH 18 PT50"

Fig.2 Photograph of transmission electron microscope(TEM) of CNovel“MH18-PT50”

Fig. 3 Comparison of catalyst structure and performance of each support

Fig.4 Catalytic activity performance in fuel cells

Fig.5 Comparison of catalyst performance(Source: N.E. CHEMCHAT)

degradation(Source: N.E. CHEMCHAT)※１：Measurement results with Anode/Cathode = H2/O2, MEA Cathode※２：DOE MEA durability evaluation conditions 0.65 0.60~0.95V, 30000cycle(June 9, 2021 Revised)

Contact：
Sales and manufacturing of CNovel™, “MH-18-PT50”
Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd（About Products）

Product inquiry form

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N.E. CHEMCAT Corporation

info-pr@ne-chemcat.co.jp