Development of novel cathodes for next generation solid oxide fuel cells. This project will provide novel cathodes to reduce the operating temperature of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) as low as 500 degrees celsius. The technology may lead to widespread utilization of SOFCs, thus providing great assistance to Australia's industries in term of reducing carbon dioxide emission and easing pressure from carbon tax.
Hybrid cathode for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells. This project aims to develop molten carbonate-perovskite hybrid cathode materials for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) possessing both high catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and high tolerance to carbon dioxide poisoning. Carbon dioxide in air can poison nearly all the perovskite cathode materials developed for LT-SOFCs (below 600 degrees C) so far. These materials will not be practically useful ....Hybrid cathode for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells. This project aims to develop molten carbonate-perovskite hybrid cathode materials for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) possessing both high catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and high tolerance to carbon dioxide poisoning. Carbon dioxide in air can poison nearly all the perovskite cathode materials developed for LT-SOFCs (below 600 degrees C) so far. These materials will not be practically useful until carbon dioxide poisoning can be prevented. This project expects to make these LT-SOFC cathode materials commercially viable, solving a problem for the widespread use of low temperature solid oxide fuel cells.Read moreRead less
Degradation of atomically dispersed M-N-C carbon catalysts in acidic media. This project aims to provide a clear understanding of the degradation mechanisms of transition metal (M) and nitrogen (N) co-doped carbon (M-N-C) catalysts in acidic media by utilising new model catalysts, standardised degradation tests, comprehensive catalyst characterisation, and machine learning tools to interrogate mechanistic hypotheses and link degradation mechanisms to specific catalyst characteristics. This proje ....Degradation of atomically dispersed M-N-C carbon catalysts in acidic media. This project aims to provide a clear understanding of the degradation mechanisms of transition metal (M) and nitrogen (N) co-doped carbon (M-N-C) catalysts in acidic media by utilising new model catalysts, standardised degradation tests, comprehensive catalyst characterisation, and machine learning tools to interrogate mechanistic hypotheses and link degradation mechanisms to specific catalyst characteristics. This project expects to generate new knowledge on rationally designing robust hydrogen fuel cell catalysts. This will provide significant benefits, such as new knowledge on catalyst degradation, new catalysts for energy conversion applications, and collaborations with the industry to accelerate Australia’s shift to renewable energy.Read moreRead less
High Performance Anode for Direct Ammonia Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. Solid oxygen fuel cells are a clean energy generation device with very high energy efficiency and if with hydrogen as fuel, the emission is zero. However, the utilisation of hydrogen is limited by on-board storage. Ammonia is a promising hydrogen carrier and can be directly fed to solid oxide fuel cells without fuel storage problem, and the products are just hydrogen and nitrogen. For direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells, the key ....High Performance Anode for Direct Ammonia Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. Solid oxygen fuel cells are a clean energy generation device with very high energy efficiency and if with hydrogen as fuel, the emission is zero. However, the utilisation of hydrogen is limited by on-board storage. Ammonia is a promising hydrogen carrier and can be directly fed to solid oxide fuel cells without fuel storage problem, and the products are just hydrogen and nitrogen. For direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells, the key challenge is the anode. This project aims to develop a high performance anode for direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells with both high activity and high stability at low temperature (below 600 degree C), thus addressing a key issue to make the direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells commercially viable.Read moreRead less
Composites for thermal expansion matched oxygen electrodes. This project aims to develop high performance composite oxygen electrodes by using both negative thermal expansion materials and electrolyte materials to tailor the thermal expansion and activities of the perovskite-based electrodes for use in reduced temperature solid oxide cells. Such composite electrodes will show highly matched thermal expansion with electrolyte without sacrificing high activity at reduced temperatures. This project ....Composites for thermal expansion matched oxygen electrodes. This project aims to develop high performance composite oxygen electrodes by using both negative thermal expansion materials and electrolyte materials to tailor the thermal expansion and activities of the perovskite-based electrodes for use in reduced temperature solid oxide cells. Such composite electrodes will show highly matched thermal expansion with electrolyte without sacrificing high activity at reduced temperatures. This project seeks to address an important practical issue in the operation of solid oxide power cells - thermal expansion compatibility, which causes poor efficiency outside a narrow temperature band.Read moreRead less
Hydrogen fuel cells with non-precious metal cathode catalysts. Low-cost and robust fuel cell technology is a cornerstone towards the success of the hydrogen economy. The project aims to address the cost and durability of hydrogen fuel cells by advancing low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions. Novel non-precious catalysts will be developed, and their stability understood in fuel cells using a new approach with in situ current mapping and X-ray computed tomography. The expected ....Hydrogen fuel cells with non-precious metal cathode catalysts. Low-cost and robust fuel cell technology is a cornerstone towards the success of the hydrogen economy. The project aims to address the cost and durability of hydrogen fuel cells by advancing low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions. Novel non-precious catalysts will be developed, and their stability understood in fuel cells using a new approach with in situ current mapping and X-ray computed tomography. The expected outcomes of this project include material development, improved characterisation techniques and new knowledge on electrocatalysis. The project will benefit Kohodo Hydrogen Energy by positioning them as an Australian leader in low-cost catalysts, and to Australian industries in developing the hydrogen economy. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100637
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,154.00
Summary
An integrated electrolyser for CO2 conversion from capture media. This project aims to develop an efficient electrochemical method to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to valuable chemicals. It expects to displace the energy-costly step of its upstream CO2 capture process. The key novelty is the use of flow-through electrodes and optimal solvents to promote CO2 conversion at high rates. Expected outcomes include enhanced efficiency of CO2 sequestration, and new techniques to develop electrodes with w ....An integrated electrolyser for CO2 conversion from capture media. This project aims to develop an efficient electrochemical method to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to valuable chemicals. It expects to displace the energy-costly step of its upstream CO2 capture process. The key novelty is the use of flow-through electrodes and optimal solvents to promote CO2 conversion at high rates. Expected outcomes include enhanced efficiency of CO2 sequestration, and new techniques to develop electrodes with well-controlled local reaction environments, which are essential for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. This will benefit Australia's environment and industries such as cement and aluminium manufacturing in managing carbon emissions, and accelerate Australia’s transition to a carbon-neutral economy.Read moreRead less
New carbon nanotube electrocatalysts for water splitting and fuel cells. The demand for clean, secure and sustainable energy sources has stimulated great interest in electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies such as water splitting and fuel cells. The efficiency of water splitting and fuel cells is however strongly dependent on the activity of the electrocatalysts. The objective of the project is to develop new electrocatalysts based on the recently discovered phenomena that car ....New carbon nanotube electrocatalysts for water splitting and fuel cells. The demand for clean, secure and sustainable energy sources has stimulated great interest in electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies such as water splitting and fuel cells. The efficiency of water splitting and fuel cells is however strongly dependent on the activity of the electrocatalysts. The objective of the project is to develop new electrocatalysts based on the recently discovered phenomena that carbon nanotubes with specific size and number of walls are very active and significantly promote the reaction of water splitting and fuel cells. The proposed project is expected to open a new research field in the development of new electrocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts for advanced energy conversion and storage technologies.Read moreRead less
Understanding dynamic interfaces in electrochemical systems. This project aims to develop nanoscale characterisation methods to understand dynamic processes in zinc-ion batteries and high temperature electrolysis systems under real working (in operando) conditions. This project expects to reveal critical solid-liquid and solid-gas interfacial processes in these two distinctly different electrochemical systems. The expected outcomes include improved understanding of electrochemical interfaces and ....Understanding dynamic interfaces in electrochemical systems. This project aims to develop nanoscale characterisation methods to understand dynamic processes in zinc-ion batteries and high temperature electrolysis systems under real working (in operando) conditions. This project expects to reveal critical solid-liquid and solid-gas interfacial processes in these two distinctly different electrochemical systems. The expected outcomes include improved understanding of electrochemical interfaces and improved tools and methods to observe nanoscale interfacial processes. This information can be used to underpin mechanistic models, which will facilitate new materials design. Read moreRead less
Oxide-based high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one of the most efficient energy conversion technologies for producing electricity from fuels such as hydrogen and methanol. Current PEMFCs use precious metal catalysts, and the performance of liquid methanol fuel is disappointingly low due to the inability of polymer or hybrid membranes to operate at temperatures above 160-180 degrees centigrade. This work aims to develop an all ox ....Oxide-based high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one of the most efficient energy conversion technologies for producing electricity from fuels such as hydrogen and methanol. Current PEMFCs use precious metal catalysts, and the performance of liquid methanol fuel is disappointingly low due to the inability of polymer or hybrid membranes to operate at temperatures above 160-180 degrees centigrade. This work aims to develop an all oxide-based PEMFC technology using a recently developed sintered and heteropolyacid functionalised mesoporous silica membrane. The utilisation of all-oxide-PEMFCs using non-precious metal catalysts is expected to significantly enhance the power density, reduce costs, and enhance the commercial viability of PEMFC technologies.Read moreRead less