Control of structure, strain and chemistry: a route to designer fuel cell interfaces

A fuel cell consists of three primary components: the air electrode, fuel electrode and ion transport electrolyte. The function of these components is primarily to carry current, reduce oxygen and oxidise a fuel. As these devices are typically constructed using traditional manufacturing techniques there is little control of the atomic scale processes that occur at the interfaces between each of these components. As the electrochemistry that controls the fuel cell operation is correlated with the structure and strain at the interfaces between the components and with the electrode/environment interfaces, a clear understadning of these processes at the atomic scale is essential if optimised, high performacne, low cost fuel cells are to be produced. In this work we will use a complementary suite of advanced techniques, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Low energy ion scattering and crystal truncation rods to probe the structure of the interfaces, including buried interfaces, and link this with surface chemistry and fuel cell performance. Once these key factors are understood we will apply this knowledge to the design and manufacture of 2D and 3D electrode structures. We will engage with our international partners to complement the work undertaken at imperial and test devices with our industrial partner, AFC Energy.

This project will be embedded in the H2FCSupergen hub that includes several leading fuel cell companies (CeresPower, Intelligent Energy and Johnston Matthey) thus ensuring that the project team have excellent opportunities to maximise the commercial impact of this research. The outputs from the collaboration will help establish a strong UK business opportunity centred on the design, manufacture and utilisation of an emerging and highly versatile fuel cell technology. This would contribute to the growing global fuel cell and hydrogen energy market which is projected to be worth over $15 billion by 2017, increasing to $180 billion in 2050. Additionally, it has been suggested that revenues in this sector will grow at a rate of 26% annually over the next decade. A more optimistic study has suggested that the global fuel cell vehicle market would grow to $261bn a year by 2050 with the UK market worth approximately $4bn a year.

As well as the direct economic impact of this work, there will be further academic impact, with the research team contributing to the scientific literature through high impact publications and presentations at many international conferences, such as the Materials Research Symposia, Electrochemcial Society meetings etc.

A key aspect of our programme is the interaction with Diamond Light Source, making full use of this internationally leading facility, and highlighting new approaches to the science that can be undertaken, with advances in surface science that will be applied to a raft of technologies. We will also provide traing for three postdoctoral reaserchers who we would expect to go on to become research leaders in their field, providing direction to this research area, whilst developing future directions. These researchers will aslo engage in training, through collaboration with the CDTs, with the next generation of researchers, providing clear pathways to secure the future of ths research area in the UK.

We will be fully engaged with the H2FCSupergen hub, participating in events and providing regular updates on our progress, and demonstrating advances to industrial partners, both of teh project and of the hub.

Intellectual property will be fully protected through discussion with Imperial Innovations, a subsiduary of Imperial College responsible for technology transfer, and patents filed where appropriate. In terms of the manufacturing aspects of this work we will explore any opportunities to spin-out companies to further develop the technology used in this project.