Alkaline Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
The first viable large scale fuel cell systems were the liquid electrolyte alkaline fuel cells developed by Francis Bacon. Until recently the entire space shuttle fleet was powered by such fuel cells. The main difficulties with these fuel cells surrounded the liquid electrolyte, which was difficult to immobilise and suffers from problems due to the formation of low solubility carbonate species. Subsequent material developments led to the introduction of proton-exchange membranes (PEMs e.g. Nafion(r)) and the development of the well-known PEMFC. Cost is a major inhibitor to commercial uptake of PEMFCs and is localised on 3 critical components: (1) Pt catalysts (loadings still high despite considerable R&D); (2) the PEMs; and (3) bipolar plate materials (there are few inexpensive materials which survive contact with Nafion, a superacid). Water balance within PEMFCs is difficult to optimise due to electro-osmotic drag. Finally, PEM-based direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) exhibit reduced performances due to migration of methanol to the cathode (voltage losses and wasted fuel).Recent advances in materials science and chemistry has allowed the production of membrane materials and ionomers which would allow the development of the alkaline-equivalent to PEMs. The application of these alkaline anion-exchange membranes (AAEMs) promises a quantum leap in fuel cell viability. The applicant team contains the world-leaders in the development of this innovative technology. Such fuel cells (conduction of OH- anions rather than protons) offer a number of significant advantages:(1) Catalysis of fuel cell reactions is faster under alkaline conditions than acidic conditions - indeed non-platinum catalysts perform very favourably in this environment e.g. Ag for oxygen reduction.(2) Many more materials show corrosion resistance in alkaline than in acid environments. This increases the number and chemistry of materials which can be used (including cheap, easy stamped and thin metal bipolar plate materials).(3) Non-fluorinated ionomers are feasible and promise significant membrane cost reductions.(4) Water and ionic transport within the OH-anion conducting electrolytes is favourable electroosmotic drag transports water away from the cathode (preventing flooding on the cathode, a major issue with PEMFCs and DMFCs). This process also mitigates the 'crossover' problem in DMFCs.This research programme involves the development of a suite of materials and technology necessary to implement the alkaline polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (APEMFC). This research will be performed by a consortium of world leading materials scientists, chemists and engineers, based at Imperial College London, Cranfield University, University of Newcastle and the University of Surrey. This team, which represents one of the best that can be assembled to undertake such research, embodies a multiscale understanding on experimental and theoretical levels of all aspects of fuel cell systems, from fundamental electrocatalysis to the stack level, including diagnostic approaches to assess those systems. The research groups have already explored some aspects of APEMFCs and this project will undertake the development of each aspect of the new technology in an integrated, multi-pronged approach whilst communicating their ongoing results to the members of a club of relevant industrial partners. The extensive opportunities for discipline hopping and international-level collaborations will be fully embraced. The overall aim is to develop membrane materials, catalysts and ionomers for APEMFCs and to construct and operate such fuel cells utilising platinum-free electrocatalysts. The proposed programme of work is adventurous: however, risks have been carefully assessed alongside suitable mitigation strategies (the high risk components promise high returns but have few dependencies). Success will lead to the U.K. pioneering a new class of clean energy conversion technology.
Publications
Ahmad E
(2011)
Thermodynamic stability of LaMnO 3 and its competing oxides: A hybrid density functional study of an alkaline fuel cell catalyst
in Physical Review B
Ahmad E
(2013)
The stability of LaMnO3 surfaces: a hybrid exchange density functional theory study of an alkaline fuel cell catalyst
in Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Anthony Kucernak
(2015)
Dataset for figures in paper DOI:/10.1016/j.cattod.2015.09.031
in Zenodo
Bidault F
(2011)
Cathode development for alkaline fuel cells based on a porous silver membrane
in Journal of Power Sources
Bidault F
(2010)
A novel cathode for alkaline fuel cells based on a porous silver membrane
in Journal of Power Sources
Kucernak A
(2012)
Membrane electrode assemblies based on porous silver electrodes for alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells
in Electrochimica Acta
Malko D
(2019)
Heterogeneous iron containing carbon catalyst (Fe-N/C) for epoxidation with molecular oxygen
in Journal of Catalysis
Stockford C
(2015)
H2FC SUPERGEN: An overview of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell research across the UK
in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Description | We have developed a new range of materials including membranes, catalysts and flow fields which allow a new type of fuel cell to be created. These materials are less expensive than current materials and will allow the development of fuel cells which are less expensive than current ones. |
Exploitation Route | Our findings are being taken forward in a number of new projects on the development of new fuel cells. |
Sectors | Chemicals Energy |
Description | Findings for this proposal have been used to further scientific knowledge and have been presented in a large number of papers and at a number of conferences. The possibility of incorporating this technology in operating systems has been considered through follow-on projects which have striven to embody the technology in operating systems. |
First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
Sector | Chemicals,Energy,Environment |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Alkaline fuel cell - Impact Acceleration Account |
Amount | £48,272 (GBP) |
Funding ID | PS9537_CHIS |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 11/2014 |
Description | Symbiotic |
Amount | € 3,000,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | http://symbiotic-project.eu/project/ |
Organisation | European Commission H2020 |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 01/2016 |
End | 11/2018 |
Description | Alkaline fuel cell meeting |
Organisation | University of Surrey |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Conference was organised following the end of the project to invite world class researchers to University of Surrey |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaborators to this project provided talks on their recent work, This lead to publication of a review article. |
Impact | Publication of review article in Energy and Environmental Science |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Collaboration with Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Supergen |
Organisation | Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Supergen |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | H2FC is the hydrogen and fuel cell supergen. We have presented results at H2FC conferences and as Kucernak is a theme leader the results have been used to set the direction of future research |
Collaborator Contribution | Allow research to be seen by wider audience. |
Impact | Presentation of results at H2FC conferences |
Start Year | 2010 |
Title | FUEL CELL COMPRISING AT LEAST TWO STACKED PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS WITH A PLURALITY OF INTERCONNECTED FUEL CELL UNITS |
Description | A fuel cell comprising at least two stacked fuel cell boards (22) which each comprise a membrane of substantially gas impervious electrolyte material and at least two electrode pairs wherein the anode and cathode of each said electrode pair are arranged on respective faces of said membrane. An electrode of each pair of electrodes is connected to an electrode of an adjacent pair of electrodes by a through-membrane connection (13) or by an external connection on a Printed Circuit Board, comprising an electrically conductive region of said electrolyte material. A method for forming the through-membrane electrical connections in the electrolyte membrane is also disclosed. |
IP Reference | WO2012117035 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2012 |
Licensed | Yes |
Impact | Patent being used by company to manufacture systems |
Title | Fuel cell comprising at least two stacked printed circuit boards with a plurality of interconnected fuel cell units |
Description | A fuel cell comprising at least two stacked fuel cell boards (22) which each comprise a membrane of substantially gas impervious electrolyte material and at least two electrode pairs wherein the anode and cathode of each said electrode pair are arranged on respective faces of said membrane. An electrode of each pair of electrodes is connected to an electrode of an adjacent pair of electrodes by a through-membrane connection (13) or by an external connection on a printed circuit board, comprising an electrically conductive region of said electrolyte material. A method for forming the through-membrane electrical connections in the electrolyte membrane is also disclosed. |
IP Reference | CN103620842 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2014 |
Licensed | Yes |
Impact | patent used to produce fuel cells by company |
Description | BEIS EINA Workshop: Hydrogen & Fuel Cell |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | On behalf of BEIS, Vivid Economics/Carbon Trust/E4Tech invite you to a workshop to inform innovation spending priorities for the Hydrogen & Fuel Cell sector on 13th February 2019 The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is looking at the future of innovation spending across all areas of energy. A structured Energy Innovation Needs Assessment (EINA) process has been developed to gather evidence and analyse the role of selected technologies in the UK's future energy system. This will inform where innovation support and investment could deliver the greatest benefits, informing spending priorities. Vivid Economics, Carbon Trust, and E4Tech have been contracted by BEIS to carry out this work. Following whole energy system modelling by the Energy Systems Catapult using the energy system modelling environment (ESME) model, we have identified key technologies considered most important for energy system value. Your experience in the Hydrogen & Fuel Cell sector will help us to validate a suggested set of innovations, prioritise these in terms of importance for the UK energy system and identify how to unlock the opportunities presented by each technology. We will take account of other key documents that have been published in this area. Here is the agenda for a workshop, which will be held in two parts: 10.00-12.30 Technologies. Discuss a suggested table of key innovations and a table focused on cost outlooks, which will be provided for your review before the workshop (these are provided a few days prior to the workshop). [Lunch 12.30-1.00] 1.00-3.30 Business and policy opportunities. Your experience in the sector will help us to identify domestic and international business opportunities and identify barriers to unlocking them. We are inviting 15-20 Hydrogen & Fuel Cell experts from academia, industry, and governmental organisations. The workshop will be held at Broadway House, Council Chamber, Tothill St, Westminster, London SW1H 9NQ, on 13th February 2019. With your expertise, we expect that you would be most suited to attending both sessions, but please let us know if you feel otherwise. We hope that the importance of BEIS's goal will enable you to prioritise attendance. I would be grateful if you could please confirm attendance by 18th January 2019 and in line with GDPR requirements, please confirm that you consent to us to sharing your name and email address with BEIS and our consortium partners (Vivid Economic, Carbon Trust) solely for the purposes of this project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Renewable Fuel Generation and Energy Storage |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Renewable Fuel Generation and Energy Storage Symposium 2nd November 2018 Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Imperial College London PROGRAMME 09:00 - 09:30 Arrival and light breakfast 09:30 - 09:40 Introductory remarks: Dr. Andreas Kafizas MATERIALS Chair: Dr. Franky Bedoya 09:40 - 10:10 Life beyond titania: new materials for solar fuel generation Prof. Aron Walsh, Department of Materials 10:10 - 10:40 MOF-based composites as bifunctional materials for CO2 capture and photoconversion Dr. Camille Petit, Department of Chemical Engineering 10:40 - 11:00 Coffee & Poster session 11:00 - 11:30 Photoelectrocatalytic properties of atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides Dr. Cecilia Mattevi, Department of Materials 11:30 - 12:00 Lead-acid batteries recycling for the 21st Century Dr. David Payne, Department of Materials 12:00 - 13:00 Lunch & Poster session TECHNIQUES AND FUNDAMENTALS Chair: Dr. Anna Hankin 13:00 - 13:30 Measuring the intrinsic catalytic performance of catalysts for fuel cells and electrolysers Prof. Anthony Kucernak, Department of Chemistry 13:30 - 14:00 Towards a parameter-free theory for electrochemical phenomena at the nanoscale Dr. Clotilde Cucinotta, Department of Chemistry 14:00 - 14:30 Transient spectroscopic studies of approaches to artificial photosynthesis Prof. James Durrant, Department of Chemistry 14:30 - 15:00 In-situ ultrafast methods for solar fuels: Can we push efficiencies? Dr. Ernest Pastor, Department of Chemistry 15:00 - 15:20 Coffee & Poster session DEVICES AND IMPLEMENTATION Chair: Dr. Ernest Pastor 15:20 - 15:50 Upscaling battery technology: From material science to pack engineering Dr. Billy Wu, Dyson School of Design Engineering 15:50 - 16:20 Electrochemical synthesis of fuels and valuable chemicals: from fundamental catalysis studies to real devices Dr. Ifan Stephens, Department of Materials 16:20 - 16:50 (Photo-)electrochemical reactors for energy conversion and storage Prof. Geoff Kelsall, Department of Chemical Engineering 16:50 - 17:20 Renewable gas from offshore wind and offshore electrolysers Dr. Malte Jansen, Centre for Environmental Policy PANEL DISUSSION Chair: Prof. Geoff Kelsall 17:20 - 18:00 Question for the panellists: Learning from the presentations today, what disruptive technologies and collaborative projects would you like to see at ICL? Panellists: Prof. James Durrant (Chemistry), Prof. Richard Templer (Chemistry & Grantham Institute), Dr. Judith Cherni (Centre for Environmental Policy) and Dr. Sam Coper (Dyson School of Design Engineering). 18:00 - 18:10 Closing remarks and prize-giving: Dr. Andreas Kafizas 18:10 - Late Wine and mingling |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | The Hydrogen Economy in The Future Energy Landscape |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The hydrogen economy is steadily gaining increasing importance as a realistic and affordable option in the context of the de-carbonisation challenge that the UK and other countries have set themselves to for the next few decades. To explore this subject, we are delighted to invite you to a workshop taking place in November to explore what a possible hydrogen economy landscape may look like in the UK in 2035, what the implications may be for the various actors within the energy system, and what decisions may be required to translate that vision into a realistic plan. Building on the scenario described in the Arup publication " Energy systems: A view from 2035", this workshop is part of Arup's thought leadership initiatives to explore the future of energy in the upcoming decades. It will be a unique opportunity to come together with colleagues and peers across government, to consider the commercial models, regulatory framework and policy decision required to develop and implement a potential future hydrogen economy. This workshop is the second of a series where we will be exploring the challenges and opportunities of the hydrogen economy with experts across the industry: Workshop - Hydrogen economy: industry stakeholders (28th November 2018 - Breakfast served from 8.45 for a 9.00 start. Close at 3.30) Breakfast event: Hydrogen economy: route map review with government and industry representatives (12th December 2018) Each event will be facilitated by our subject matter experts, who can leverage Arup's understanding of the hydrogen economy, of the regulatory framework and commercial models, as well as of the broader hydrogen stakeholders' community. They will be highly interactive sessions, which will challenge common assumptions and will encourage attendees to consider the hydrogen economy on its multiple aspects and from different perspectives - each stakeholder for example will be asked to 'role-play' different actors in the system. In each session we will be producing a route map to a possible hydrogen economy system in the UK, which will then be reviewed and tested during the breakfast event in December 2018, with representatives from government and the industry. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |