Control of structure, strain and chemistry: a route to designer fuel cell interfaces

Completed

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Fuel Cells, Stationary applications)
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Fuel Cells, Mobile applications)

Basic and strategic applied research

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials)

Not Cross-cutting

Dr SJ Skinner
Materials
Imperial College London

Standard

EPSRC

01 April 2015

31 March 2019

48 months

£1,076,043

Energy

London

Energy : Energy

Dr SJ Skinner, Materials, Imperial College London

Dr A Aguadero, Materials, Imperial College London
Professor JA Kilner, Materials, Imperial College London
Dr C Nicklin, Science Division, Ashfords Future
Dr DJ Payne, Materials, Imperial College London
Dr M Ryan, Materials, Imperial College London

Project Contact, Kyushu University, Japan
Project Contact, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA
Project Contact, i²cner, Japan
Project Contact, AFC Energy

A fuel cell consists of three primary components: the air electrode, fuel electrode and ion transport electrolyte. The function of these components is primarily to carry current, reduce oxygen and oxidise a fuel. As these devices are typically constructed using traditional manufacturing techniques there is little control of the atomic scale processes that occur at the interfaces between each of these components. As the electrochemistry that controls the fuel cell operation is correlated with the structure and strain at the interfaces between the components and with the electrode/environment interfaces, a clear understadning of these processes at the atomic scale is essential if optimised, high performacne, low cost fuel cells are to be produced. In this work we will use a complementary suite of advanced techniques, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Low energy ion scattering and crystal truncation rods to probe the structure of the interfaces, including buried interfaces, and link this with surface chemistry and fuel cell performance. Once these key factors are understood we will apply this knowledge to the design and manufacture of 2D and 3D electrode structures. We will engage with our international partners to complement the work undertaken at imperial and test devices with our industrial partner, AFC Energy

06/01/15