Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GemDEFC (Single layer N-doped Graphene modified polymer Electrolyte Membrane with aligned nanowire electrodes for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells)
Période du rapport: 2021-09-01 au 2023-08-31
The overall aim of this project is to develop DMFC electrodes with catalyst nanostructures from PtRu nanowire arrays, providing a further understanding of structure-property relationships of practical fuel cell electrodes. During the research period, the electrodes with catalyst nanostructures from PtRu nanowire arrays (PtNi NW) were developed and formic acid reduction method were explored. In the present study comparative electrochemical study of methanol electro-oxidation reaction, the effect of ruthenium nanowires (NWs) addition and experimental parameters on methanol electro-oxidation reaction at high performance carbon supported Pt (NWs) and Pt_Ru (NWs) catalysts have been studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and single cell test. Enhanced power performance is successfully demonstrated in the single-cell test. Pt_Ru NWs/C electrode shows the highest power density of 138.6 mW cm–2 due to the improved mass transport characteristics and CO intermediate tolerance which is 2.1 times higher than that of Pt/C (65.7 mW cm−2), 1.5 times higher than Pt Ru/VC (90 mW cm−2) and 1.3 times higher than Pt Ru/GC (106 mW cm−2). The improved power performance of Pt_Ru NWs/CB demonstrates that incorporating Ru into the PtRu alloy NWs catalyst has a beneficial impact on its ability to facilitate the MOR. The catalyst stability was examined through accelerated degradation tests (ADT) in the single-cell test. The mechanisms behind were explored.
Present work carried out contributes towards positive controlling of climate change and European policy objectives and strategies and have an impact on policy making. The results and understanding of catalyst layer structure and performances will power the application market, like in sustainable power generators and vehicles, and also the fuel producing technologies. A further understanding of electrode structures will also benefit the design and development of other electrochemical devices, e.g. batteries, super capacitors and sensors. The achievement of in-situ growing approach could also benefit for developing new nanostructures for industrial catalysis, catalysts for bio-fuel and bio-sensors, etc.
Present work carried out contributes towards positive controlling of climate change and European policy objectives and strategies and have an impact on policy making. The results and understanding of catalyst layer structure and performances will power the application market, like in sustainable power generators and vehicles, and also the fuel producing technologies. A further understanding of electrode structures will also benefit the design and development of other electrochemical devices, e.g. batteries, super capacitors and sensors. The achievement of in-situ growing approach could also benefit for developing new nanostructures for industrial catalysis, catalysts for bio-fuel and bio-sensors, etc.
During the research period, the electrodes with catalyst nanostructures from PtRu nanowire arrays (PtNi NW) were developed and formic acid reduction method were explored. In the present study comparative electrochemical study of methanol electro-oxidation reaction, the effect of ruthenium nanowires (NWs) addition and experimental parameters on methanol electro-oxidation reaction at high performance carbon supported Pt (NWs) and Pt_Ru (NWs) catalysts have been studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and single cell test. Enhanced power performance is successfully demonstrated in the single-cell test. Pt_Ru NWs/C electrode shows the highest power density of 138.6 mW cm–2 due to the improved mass transport characteristics and CO intermediate tolerance which is 2.1 times higher than that of Pt/C (65.7 mW cm−2), 1.5 times higher than Pt Ru/VC (90 mW cm−2) and 1.3 times higher than Pt Ru/GC (106 mW cm−2). The improved power performance of Pt_Ru NWs/CB demonstrates that incorporating Ru into the PtRu alloy NWs catalyst has a beneficial impact on its ability to facilitate the MOR. The catalyst stability was examined through accelerated degradation tests (ADT) in the single-cell test. The mechanisms behind were explored.
During the fellowship, transfer of knowledge and training are of clarity and quality between Dr. Miah on electrode materials and the host on fuel cells and their industrial requirements. Dr. Miah participated in more than 10 academic conferences with posters or oral presentations, attending one summer school courses, many seminars and training activities provided by the University of Birmingham (UoB), helping organizing the annual CSCST-SCI conference, research meetings and workshops in cooperation with Dr Du, and supervision of undergraduate, master and PhD students, providing extensive networking of international academics and industrialists. Two manuscripts and one review article are under preparation. Dr Miah has established a solid relationship with the partners from UoB and the other EU region on a daily basis and various activities concerned academic and industrial merits.
During the fellowship, transfer of knowledge and training are of clarity and quality between Dr. Miah on electrode materials and the host on fuel cells and their industrial requirements. Dr. Miah participated in more than 10 academic conferences with posters or oral presentations, attending one summer school courses, many seminars and training activities provided by the University of Birmingham (UoB), helping organizing the annual CSCST-SCI conference, research meetings and workshops in cooperation with Dr Du, and supervision of undergraduate, master and PhD students, providing extensive networking of international academics and industrialists. Two manuscripts and one review article are under preparation. Dr Miah has established a solid relationship with the partners from UoB and the other EU region on a daily basis and various activities concerned academic and industrial merits.
In addition, Dr. Miah had the fantastic opportunity through Postdoctoral/Early Researcher Career Development and Training (PERCAT) at UoB to engage in a series of meetings with a mentor. This proved to be a mind-opening experience regarding the significance of values and personal integrity in an increasingly competitive world. In this course he gained insights into the vital importance of aligning personal values with those of employers. He also acquired valuable knowledge about defining and pursuing future ambitions through goal-setting. This experience has been immensely beneficial, and I highly recommend it to fellow researchers. Additionally, he has expanded my international network by joining associations, including a year-long membership with the Royal Society of Chemistry. He has also been invited to serve as an international reviewer for grant evaluations and currently hold the position of Reviewer in the Frontiers in Chemistry. In pursuit of independence, He has established his independent research program and submitted grant applications. Looking ahead, his aspiration is to submit an ERC Starting Grant to establish and lead a research group.
The successful completion of this Fellowship will open multifarious career possibilities for Dr. Miah, promoting him academic reputation and future career prospects. Dr. Miah will aim to build collaboration between the academic and industrial units in Europe and in India. The success of GemDEFC work enhances innovation capacity of component and construction of PtRu catalyst electrodes and catalyst layer structures, and its potential promotion in EU will contribute to scientific and technological advances in DMFC/DEFC, nanomaterial science. The output will also greatly widen DMFC/DEFC application, promote its commercialization and reduce carbon emission and fossil energy consumption, making FC more attractive for potential exploiters and users of this clean technology.
Present work carried out contributes towards positive controlling of climate change and European policy objectives and strategies and have an impact on policy making. The results and understanding of catalyst layer structure and performances will power the application market, like in sustainable power generators and vehicles, and also the fuel producing technologies. A further understanding of electrode structures will also benefit the design and development of other electrochemical devices, e.g. batteries, super capacitors and sensors. The achievement of in-situ growing approach could also benefit for developing new nanostructures for industrial catalysis, catalysts for bio-fuel and bio-sensors, etc.
The successful completion of this Fellowship will open multifarious career possibilities for Dr. Miah, promoting him academic reputation and future career prospects. Dr. Miah will aim to build collaboration between the academic and industrial units in Europe and in India. The success of GemDEFC work enhances innovation capacity of component and construction of PtRu catalyst electrodes and catalyst layer structures, and its potential promotion in EU will contribute to scientific and technological advances in DMFC/DEFC, nanomaterial science. The output will also greatly widen DMFC/DEFC application, promote its commercialization and reduce carbon emission and fossil energy consumption, making FC more attractive for potential exploiters and users of this clean technology.
Present work carried out contributes towards positive controlling of climate change and European policy objectives and strategies and have an impact on policy making. The results and understanding of catalyst layer structure and performances will power the application market, like in sustainable power generators and vehicles, and also the fuel producing technologies. A further understanding of electrode structures will also benefit the design and development of other electrochemical devices, e.g. batteries, super capacitors and sensors. The achievement of in-situ growing approach could also benefit for developing new nanostructures for industrial catalysis, catalysts for bio-fuel and bio-sensors, etc.