HEИндивидуална стипендия2022–2025

SuperElectro · Superwettability-enhanced Electrocatalysis

„Хоризонт Европа“ — Действия „Мария Склодовска-Кюри“

Период: 2022-05-01 → 2025-10-31
Финансиране от ЕС: 199 694 €
Участници: 1
Схема: HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF

Линиите свързват координатора с партньорите.

Накратко на български

Повърхностите на електродите се изследват, за да се контролира по-ефективно отделянето на газови мехурчета при производството на водород. Това помага за намаляване на енергийните загуби и износването на материалите в устойчивите енергийни системи.

Този кратък обзор е генериран от изкуствен интелект

Кратко обяснение, генерирано от езиков модел по текста на CORDIS. Оригиналът е по-долу.

Резултати накратко

Superwettability-enhanced Electrocatalysis

The transition to climate-neutral and sustainable energy systems depends on our ability to efficiently convert renewable electricity into chemical fuels such as hydrogen or reduced carbon compounds. One of the key limitations in these processes lies at the interface between the electrode and the liquid electrolyte, where gases form and detach during electrolysis. Under normal operation, gas bubbles accumulate on the surface, blocking active sites and disrupting the flow of current. This causes energy losses, uneven performance, and early material degradation, forcing industries to rely on complex mechanical control systems or environmentally persistent chemical additives. This project set out to overcome these challenges by developing adaptive surface designs that can passively manage how gases form and move along electrode surfaces. Instead of using mechanical stirring or surfactants, the research explored how surface chemistry, texture, and wetting behaviour can be engineered to guide bubble growth, absorption, and release. In doing so, the project aimed to transform the electrode surface from a passive barrier into a self-regulating and energy-efficient component of electrochemical systems. A particular focus was placed on comparing fluoro-free surfaces, made from environmentally sustainable materials, with high-performance fluoro-optimized surfaces. This comparative approach provided new understanding of how surface molecular structure controls gas repellency, interfacial stability, and durability. In parallel, the project investigated plastrons: microscopic air layers that form on submerged textured surfaces, as potential mediators for smooth gas flow and bubble transport. Together, these insights offer a pathway to design next-generation electrodes coatings that combine high performance with environmental responsibility.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз

Цел на проекта

In recent years, worldwide efforts to tackle climate change have resulted in immense momentum towards renewable energy research. Despite renewables (i.e. photovoltaic) achieving cost parity vs. fossil fuels (32-44$/MWh vs. 44-152$/MWh), implementation remains limited. One persistent challenge is intermittency (i.e. inconsistent energy supply by seasonal/daily cycles). Amongst promising energy storage methods (i.e. Li-ion batteries, hydrostatic, etc.), electrocatalytically-generated hydrocarbons pose numerous advantages. They are 1) non-polluting, 2) benign aqueous compositions, 3) earth-abundant electrode materials, and 4) carbon-neutrality / carbon-negative via carbon dioxide reduction. However, there is still limited control over the gaseous pathways in gas-involving electrocatalysis. This limitation negatively influences both reactant and product flux, affecting conversion efficiency. From a physical perspective, electrocatalysis is a multi-phase process where (liquid) immersed electrodes (solid) interact with reactants/products (gas). Integration of concepts in wettability is thus beneficial. Surface superaerophilicity refers to its strong affinity (-Super) for air/gases (-Aerophilicity). With superaerophilicity, microscopic gas-layers on surfaces (i.e. plastrons) provide highly efficient reactant/product gas transport pathways. In this project, I will investigate design principles for “Superwettability-enhanced Electrocatalysis (SuperElectro)”. The primary goal is to decouple wettability and electrocatalytic activity. Achievements in electrocatalytic-enhancements (i.e. current density, conversion efficiency, etc.) will thus be universal. The choice of electrode catalyst becomes independent from wettability as plastrons provide alternative product and reactant pathways. Electrocatalysis is vital towards a sustainable adoption of renewable energy technologies. The success of this work impacts the future of our energy industries and green-friendly societies.

Оригинален текст от CORDIS (на английски).

Участници

AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR · EspooКоординаторФинландия