• Sarac, Baran

Abstract

<p><strong>Wider research context/theoretical framework</strong></p> <p>The European Green Deal targets an 80-95% emission reduction of CO2 and other by-products by 2050. Although difficulties with expensive catalysts and membrane materials still have to be managed, PEM technology in acidic medium has excellent prospects to achieve these goals with ionic conductivity, electrical insulation, and oxidative/hydrolytic resistance. Among metallic-based structures, metallic glasses (MGs) exhibit promising electrocatalytic behavior in acidic media with a small overpotential and a Tafel slope comparable to commercial catalysts. Electrospun nanofiber-based composite PEMs, with their high surface area, low density, high pore volume, and easy scale-up, are considered a robust, durable, and low-cost alternative to Nafion.</p> <p><strong>Hypotheses/research questions/objectives</strong></p> <p>The joint project „Precious and Transition Metal-Based Metallic Glass and Electrospun Functionalized Polymers for Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes” (PTMG-EFP-LTPEM) will focus on beyond state-of-the-art development and fabrication of cathodes from MG nanofilms,<strong> </strong>anodes<strong> </strong>from a combination of poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene), cobalt oxide and multi-walled carbon nanotube (PProDOT-Co3O4-MWCNT) and sulfonated polyimide blended with PProDOT (SPI-PProDOT) proton exchange membranes for ultra-high hydrogen-material interactions.</p> <p><strong>Approach/methods</strong></p> <p>ESI-ÖAW will develop MGs as economically more competitive electrocatalysts using PGMs (Pt, Pd) with TMs (Ti, Zr, Ni...) and metalloids for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) (WP2 - MUL). New PProDOT derivatives will be developed for application in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and with SPI to fabricate membrane hybrid materials (WP3 - IDM Teltow). SPI-PProDOT hybrid membranes and novel HER &amp; OER electrodes should be examined for application in water electrolyzer by different characterization methods (WP4 &amp; WP5 – ESI-ÖAW &amp; MUL). Science-to-technology transfer will be established by integrating the developed electrocatalysts and membrane into a low-temperature proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell (LTPEMEC) having high efficiency, product purity and feasibility of large-scale production (WP6 – ESI-ÖAW).</p> <p><strong>Level of originality/Innovation</strong></p> <p>Due to the complementary experimental expertise and equipment, as well as the scientific background of the participants, this cooperation is expected to contribute to the design and development of LTPEM electrolysis cell for next-generation energy production technologies. This multidisciplinary project shows significant potential for long-term future collaboration of our research teams by patent applications and product commercialization.</p> <p><strong>Primary researchers involved</strong></p> <p>Dr. Baran Sarac (ESI-ÖAW) has long-term expertise in developing metallic glasses and their applications in electrochemical hydrogen production and storage. Dr. Hans-Detlev Gilsing (IDM Teltow) is an expert in preparing and electrochemical characterization of conductive PProDOT derivatives &amp; sulfonated polyimides. Prof. Dr. Christian Mitterer (MUL) has profound knowledge of developing &amp; synthesizing advanced multifunctional thin films.</p> <p> </p>

Topics

• density
• impedance spectroscopy
• pore
• surface
• polymer
• Carbon
• nanotube
• thin film
• Oxygen
• glass
• glass
• composite
• Hydrogen
• cobalt
• electrospray ionisation
• Metalloid