Light to Store chemical Energy in reduced Graphene Oxide for electricity generation

Project Information

LESGO

Grant agreement ID: 952068

DOI

10.3030/952068

Project closed

EC signature date 23 June 2020

Start date 1 November 2020

End date 30 April 2024

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)

Total cost

€ 4 193 488,75

EU contribution

€ 4 193 488,75

Coordinated by

FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUES
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - LESGO (Light to Store chemical Energy in reduced Graphene Oxide for electricity generation)

Reporting period: 2022-05-01 to 2024-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

LESGO’s main objective was to demonstrate that graphene-based materials such as graphene oxide (GO) can be used to securely store H using an energy efficient hydrogen loading based on the use of a flow cell electrolyzer. This overall goal was addressed by implementing three major research and technological development lines: Research on materials and cell configuration design for an effective H binding to the C atoms of a GO lattice; A comprehensive performance characterization of the electrolyser meant to carry out such H binding; And computational and experimental research on the H desorption mechanism to eventually achieve generation of electricity in an alkaline fuel cell.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During LESGO’s implementation we have been able to master the production of GO with the specific needs required for its reduction and optimize the production of nanoparticles used in the GO reduction. For the latter the method developed was pulse laser ablation which can lead to a potentially low-cost and up-scalable production for such nano-particles. We have also obtained rare-Earth free anodes based on FeNi nanoparticles with negligible overpotential and long-term of operation. Regarding the GO hydrogenation system to be developed, we have implemented and tested its operation which included the fabrication of a prototype flow cell incorporating on time Raman monitoring, a solar cells and DC-DC converter that we used to test the hydrogenation system under real operation conditions and to effectively demonstrate GO reduction to rGO-H. Regarding the rGO-H dehydrogenation we implemented several computational models to theoretically demonstrate that hydrogen desorption energies can be as low as 0.9-1 eV; We have reached a preliminary experimental demonstration of the thee viability of rGO-H dehydrogenation using femtosecond laser pulses and the oxidation of rGO-H in a prototype alkaline fuel cell. Finally, we have conducted a preliminary exploration of the potential benefits of EV fuel cells operating on rGO-H fuel, potentially yielding improved energy densities and overall battery performance.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Throughout LESGO's implementation, citizen engagement workshops, webinars, and community outreach activities across Europe facilitated exploring the societal acceptance around the technology and the stakeholder collaboration. Annual face-to-face meetings and regular online meetings ensured consistent progress and communication. The project disseminated results through 18 peer-reviewed publications, with additional works in progress, and shared outcomes at conferences and large European events.
LESGO finalized its IP Strategy and Exploitation Plan based on Key Exploitable Results, determining patenting is currently unviable but confirming strong market interest in alternative hydrogen storage methods without significant competing patents.

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