Under each of the WPs the targets for the reporting period were achieved. While WP1 and WP8 are focused on management, dissemination and sustainable impact the scientific and engineering packages WP2-WP7 are concerned with the component and system development. here the following result were achieved.
WP2:In this reporting period the system requirements and specifications were assessed and according to these the overall design parameters, description of the process, as well as location for the final demonstrator to be operated at the site of RWE specified. These parameters and descriptions are crucial and vital for WP7. Furthermore it was decided within WP2 that the final system will be operating with an AEM which will allow the catalysts to be CRM free.
WP3: In this reporting period oxygen evolution catalyst based on non-critical raw materials e.g. Ni, Mn and Fe with spinel structure were synthetized and investigated for operation in the alkaline environment. Whereas, for the acidic environment silver–based catalysts were synthetized and investigated. Among many synthetized catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction the most promising for alakaline and acidic environment were tested in single cells. NiFe-LDH catalysts considerably exceeded the targeted mass activity of 50 A g-1 at 1.5 V vs. RHE, their electrochemical stability falls far short of the project target.
WP4: In this WP a wide spectrum of approaches was covered to synthetize and investigate critical raw material free electrocatalysts for the CO2 reduction at the cathode side. The final down selected material for the demonstrator has been set to be for the alkaline system Cu2O nanoparticles which were synthesised at the DLR and which will now be upscaled for the final MEA production by JM.
WP5: Promising AEM and PEM commercial available membranes were purchased and characterized in terms of methanol vapour (and hydrogen as well) permeability, in- and through-plane conductivity, tensile strength, water uptake and swelling. Further characterizations were done under the conditions relevant to the project, i.e. at elevated temperatures and high partial pressures of water vapour. Based on the candidate materials, composite membranes are initially prepared and ready for further characterization. Based on the test results PEM and AEM membranes were chosen and supplied for the MEA benchmarking for WP6.
WP6: Various types of membrane electrode assemblies with different catalysts for the oxygen evolution from WP3 and CO2 reduction reaction from WP4 were prepared and investigated in WP6. Based on the investigation of the consortium partners in WP3, WP4, and WP6 the most promising materials were chosen for MEA manufacturing at IRD. Here PEM and AEM benchmark MEAs were designed and produced (up to now only PEM MEAs, while AEM MEAs will be shipped in September 2019 to the consortium).
WP7: Single cell and stack working parameters were set (see mid term report). The design of the single cells as well as the bipolar plates were also finanilized and integrated in the stack design planing. Additionally a preliminary P&ID of the LOTER.Co2M demonstrator was developed. The demonstrator design was also directed by the insights the partners DLR, CNR and IRD gained through the design and operation of their single cell systems. HyE started demonstrator development based on an alkaline system.
