Descripción del proyecto
Large scale synthesis of efficient, durable, and environmentally friendly electrocatalysts is key for commercialization of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), which is a vital route for renewable H2 production. State-of-the-art PEMWE is limited by the high price of the electrocatalysts which are composed of Ir, Pt and Ru (40% of fabrication costs of PEMWE). Against this background, the project ABLE OER aims to develop, characterize, and electrochemically evaluate low-cost, and up-scale supported electrocatalysts from commercial and recycled precursors using microwave continuous flow synthesis (MWCFS). The specific objectives of ABLE OER are to provide proof-of-concepts on i) synthesis of active and robust supported-OER catalyst, which reduces Ir loading by 80% at equivalent activity; ii) incorporation of abundant nano ceramics (as support material) and secondary PGMs for OER catalyst to reduce material cost by 70%; iii) an up-scalable continuous OER catalyst synthesis process, which lowers the production cost by 50%. The novel catalyst structure and the associated synthesis process will accelerate technological advancement and societal adoption of the PEMWE technology. My experience in inorganic materials and electrochemistry combined with the expertise of the host group in electrocatalysis for water splitting and recycling will synergistically contribute to achieving the ambitious aims of this project, which will be implemented at the University of Southern Denmark. I will learn new techniques in up-scale production of catalysts, mature my skills as an independent researcher, and increase my network to nurture international collaborations. The results of this project have the potential to greatly reduce the cost of H2 generated from renewable sources and thus transform the European and global energy sector.