Project description
Novel diffusion architectures are a breath of fresh air for fuel cell technology
Fuel cells can efficiently convert the chemical energy stored in the bonds of hydrogen gas to electrical energy with only water as emission. They have attracted global attention with successful applications in sectors including transportation and stationary power generation. The key reactions at the two electrodes, both relying on catalysts, are hydrogen oxidation (HOR) and oxygen reduction. The diffusion rate of the reactants is critically important to the HOR but has not been considered in many studies, which typically focus on optimising the catalysts. The EU-funded HydrogenLung project is developing a completely new method to incorporate lung-like multi-stage gas channels into the catalyst layer to enhance diffusion, increase efficiency and boost the application of eco-friendly fuel cell technology.
Objective
In researches about hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) at the anode of a fuel cell, most researchers concentrate on the intrinsic activity and stability of catalysts, while few researches study the gas diffusion effect in depth, which is however the rate-determine step for most HOR. Enlightened by the efficient lungs’ supply of oxygen to human with multistage bronchi and pulmonary alveoli, we plan to improve the hydrogen gas diffusion for HOR by constructing multistage superaerophilic gas channels (MSGC) in the catalyst layer (CL). Traditionally, to build gas channels in CL, people modify powder catalysts with aerophilic binder, which however cause aggregation and therefore hindered the transfer of electron and mass. Besides, part of the randomly made gas channels are closed that cannot transfer hydrogen actually. Thus, there are two challenges in MSGC construction: a solid and strong hierarchical micro-nano skeleton, that won’t aggregate, to support catalyst and channels, and a method to control the direction of the channels. Herein, we propose tungsten carbide nanoarrays (WC NA) as the skeleton for Pt catalyst and invent a vacuum-control method based on superwetting technology to direct the gas channels. Although WC nanoparticles have been proved promising as the substrate of Pt for HOR, WC NA has never been tried. Based on the novel structure, we will study the relationship between structure, gas diffusion, and HOR efficiency in depth. Targeting at the rate-determine step of HOR, we’re expecting a theoretical breakthrough in HOR, which will offer an alternative approach for making hydrogen anode in fuel cell industry.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels fossil energy natural gas
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels fuel cells
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
02150 Espoo
Finland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.