Project description
Special nanocomponent design could boost electrochemical device performance
Clean energy technologies such as hydrogen production and fuel cells rely heavily on efficient electrochemical ceramic devices. However, reducing these devices' high operational temperatures remains a key challenge, with sluggish oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) identified as one principal bottleneck. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BREATHO project plans to develop vertically aligned nanocomposites that integrate p- and n-type oxide conductors. These materials are expected to form heterojunctions that boost charge mobility and ORR efficiency below 600 °C. Researchers will optimise these materials for fuel cell applications and will evaluate performance with regard to chromium poisoning.
Objective
"Electrochemical ceramic devices (ECDs) are crucial for advancing the transition to a zero-pollution, sustainable future by converting energy from clean sources like hydrogen and producing green hydrogen through water splitting. A significant challenge lies in the high operating temperature (preferably 700-1000 C), where sluggish cathodic reactions, such as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), are pivotal obstacles. Cost-effective p-type and n-type mixed electronic and ionic conducting oxides (p-MEIOs and n-MEIOs) suffer from electron depletion and insufficient oxygen vacancies during ORR, respectively. Gathering all desired features in a single oxide conductor has proven impractical. BREATHO pioneers a transformative solution by integrating p-MEIO and n-MEIO into vertically aligned nanocomposites (VANs), which feature densely ordered S-scheme heterojunctions with enriched mobile charge carriers, creating synergistic sites that significantly enhance ORR below 600 C. These VANs will be deposited as thin films onto diverse substrates using Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD), followed by thorough investigations into their local chemistry, structure, and cathodic kinetics using advanced nanoscale characterization techniques, e.g. Plasma Focused Ion Beam Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (PFIB-SIMS), Isotopic Exchange Depth Profiling (IEDP), low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEISS), and atom probe tomography (APT). The performance of VANs as cathodes will be evaluated in metal-supported fuel cells concerning the resistance to chromium poisoning.
BREATHOs bottom-up research methodology, drawing from a convergence of interdisciplinary approaches, aims to overcome the persistent challenges in ECDs. This paradigm is anticipated to set a new benchmark in translating cutting-edge material design concepts into functional, real applications. Additionally, the emergent ""1+1>2"" effect achieved in composites provides valuable scientific insights benefiting a broad spectrum of fields."
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.
- engineering and technology materials engineering composites
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- engineering and technology materials engineering nanocomposites
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom
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.