Project description
Replacing platinum electronics with abundant nickel
Platinum group metals are ideal for electronic and digital technologies, but their rarity means that Europe relies on imports to meet demand. The EU-funded NICKEFFECT project aims to solve this by using abundantly available nickel instead of platinum. It will develop at least three new nickel-based alternatives for use in products such as electrolysers, electrodes, fuel cell catalysts and magneto-electronic devices. Researchers will use innovative deposition techniques to achieve porosities which allow enhanced catalytic performance and converse magnetoelectric effects. The project will also develop new coating methodologies. The goal is that nickel alternatives to platinum will allow Europe to remain self-reliant in renewable energy, electric mobility, and digital technologies.
Objective
Platinum group metals (PGM) are currently highly demanded due to their unique properties which have made them indispensable in different strategic sectors as renewable energy, electric mobility and digital technologies.
Unfortunately, PGMs are costly and Europe depends on their importation from other continents, which is nowadays a high risk for the development of strategic applications in key industrial sectors. For these reasons PGMs are categorized as critical raw materials (CRM) by the EC. Thus, finding alternatives to them is critical for the EU economy. In this context, NICKEFFECT project has identified an opportunity to replace these materials in key applications as electrolysers electrodes, fuel cells catalysts and magneto-electronic devices. The proposed alternative is based on nickel (Ni), an earth-abundant element with ferromagnetic character. To enhance the catalytic performance of Ni, innovative deposition techniques to obtain coatings, with ordered and pseudo-ordered porosity, will be developed. The higher surface to volume ratio provided by the increased porosity will allow enhancing catalytic performance or converse magnetoelectric effect (CME) in electronic devices.
NICKEFFECT will develop and validate at least 3 new materials, together with the coating methodologies (including process modelling) and decision support tools for materials selection (integrating safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) criteria and materials modelling).
The NICKEFFECT project brings together a strong consortium composed of twelve different partners with complementary profiles and large expertise, covering the special skills, capabilities and certification expected for the project.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energy
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metals
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringmining and mineral processing
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfuel cells
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
20014 San Sebastian
Spain