EconCell · Aligned one-dimensional nanostructure electrodes from Electrically Conductive pOrous coordiNation polymer for proton exChange mEmbrane fueL celLs
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-09-01 → 2024-04-20
- EU contribution
- €224,934
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Aligned one-dimensional nanostructure electrodes from Electrically Conductive pOrous coordiNation polymer for proton exChange mEmbrane fueL celLs
The research was conducted for more than 7 months from 25th Apr 2022. The fellow got a permanent professorship so the project was stopped on 30th Nov 2022. The project has achieved its proposed objectives and milestones for the period on the research of aligned one-dimensional nanostructure electrodes from electrically conductive porous coordination polymer (E-PCPs) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). PEMFC is considered as a highly potential electrochemical energy conversion technology because of its low operation temperature, quick start-up and shutdown, high energy efficiency and power flexibility. Besides, progress was achieved in the application of porous coordination polymer for the promoted contact of Nafion ionomer with Pt nanowires (NWs) electrocatalysts, and the work is under preparation now. The overall aim of EconCell is to develop PEMFC electrodes with aligned one-dimensional nanostructure electrodes from electrically conductive porous coordination polymers modified by ionic liquids, providing a further understanding of structure-property relationships of practical fuel cell electrodes. During the research period, the electrodes with one-dimensional nanostructure electrodes containing Pt nanowires and E-PCPs were developed. Both layer-by-layer drop-coating method and vapor-assisted solvothermal method were explored. The electrolyte ionomer enrichment effects of E-PCPs on the surface properties of Pt NWs gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) were investigated. The optimal E-PCPs coated Pt NW GDEs showed improved power performances compared to the pristine Pt NW GDE and also the GDE from the commercial Pt/C (TKK) nanoparticle electrocatalysts. The power performance and durability of the as-prepared E-PCPs coated Pt NW electrodes were then evaluated in single PEMFCs and compared. The results showed that the E-PCPs coating improved the power performance of Pt NW, but no positive effect was observed for the stability. The mechanisms behind were explored.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
To address environmental hazardous impact of fossil fuel energy technologies and the high dependency on them, clean energy systems have been developed for future energy fulfilment. Among them, the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is considered as a highly potential electrochemical energy conversion technology because of its low operation temperature, quick start-up and shutdown, high energy efficiency and power flexibility. However, the sluggish cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) undermines the overall performance. Up to now, the commonly used catalysts are still carbon supported Pt-based nanoparticles, with which the high cost of Pt undesirably increases the overall cost of the system. In EconCell, we will develop a new generation of low-cost, active site enriched and durable PEMFC electrodes from three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures of non-platinum group metal (non-PGM) electrocatalysts. It consists of protic hydrophobic ionic liquid (IL) encapsulated nanowire arrays (NWAs) of electronically conductive porous coordination polymer (E-PCP) selectively assembled on N-doped aligned carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs). The ambitious aim will be achieved with the complementary skills of Experienced Researcher (E-PCPs and nanowires) and supervisors (fuel cells and ionic liquids), based on the unique porosity, conductivity and stability of E-PCPs, the excellent catalytic activities of nitrogen-containing (N) transition metal complexes (MCs), and oxyphilicity and hydrophobicity of ILs. EconCell will extend significantly the existing knowledge of coordinated N active sites, transition metals, ILs and 1D nanostructure electrodes, making available for predicting the catalytic performance of new non-PGM catalyst systems for PEMFCs. The advancement will improve the development level of related fields, bringing about both fundamental and practical impact on various electrochemical energy conversion systems, e.g. electrolyzers, batteries, supercapacitors, etc.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM · BirminghamCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union