Control of structure, strain and chemistry: a route to designer fuel cell interfaces
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Materials
Abstract
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.
Planned Impact
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.
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.
Publications
Law J
(2019)
Modification of the order of the magnetic phase transition in cobaltites without changing their crystal space group
in Journal of Alloys and Compounds
Román Acevedo W
(2020)
Publisher's Note: "Large memcapacitance and memristance at Nb:SrTiO3/La0.5Sr0.5Mn0.5Co0.5O3-d topotactic redox interface" [Appl. Phys. Lett. 116 , 063502 (2020)]
in Applied Physics Letters
Martín J
(2017)
Relaxations and Relaxor-Ferroelectric-Like Response of Nanotubularly Confined Poly(vinylidene fluoride)
in Chemistry of Materials
Van Den Bosch C
(2019)
Revealing Strain Effects on the Chemical Composition of Perovskite Oxide Thin Films Surface, Bulk, and Interfaces
in Advanced Materials Interfaces
Li C
(2017)
Surface Chemistry of La0.99Sr0.01NbO4-d and Its Implication for Proton Conduction.
in ACS applied materials & interfaces
Celikbilek O
(2020)
Surface Restructuring of Thin-Film Electrodes Based on Thermal History and Its Significance for the Catalytic Activity and Stability at the Gas/Solid and Solid/Solid Interfaces.
in ACS applied materials & interfaces
Mousley P
(2023)
Temperature effect on surface structure of single crystal SrLaAlO4(001)
in APL Materials
Harrington GF
(2017)
The effects of lattice strain, dislocations, and microstructure on the transport properties of YSZ films.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Regoutz A
(2018)
The influence of oxygen on the surface interaction between CO2 and copper studied by ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
in Surface Science
Maher R
(2018)
The Reduction Properties of M-Doped (M=Zr, Gd) CeO 2 /YSZ Scaffolds Co-Infiltrated with Nickel
in Energy Technology
Description | During the initial funding period we have developed techniques to characterise the surface structure of oxides and correlate this with the surface chemistry using two complementary techniques. The first uses a synchrotron diffraction beamline whilst the second uses ion beams to investigate the outermost atomic surfaces. As a first stage we have determined the full outer structure and termination of LaAlO3 single crystals, and have investigated the interface between this and a double perovskite cathode. The initial work has been published, and our continuing work on this system is now focussed on the development of in-situ measurements. We have identified how challenging these measurements are and are in the process of developing a suitable stage to enable the direct in-situ analysis of layered samples. Additionally we have developed our understanding of amorphous materials and demonstrated the potential of this type of electrode, leading to new insights in terms of ion transport in oxide materials. The work has led to additional funding directly from Diamond Light Source Ltd to co-sponsor a researcher for a 2 yr period to further develop and analyse data resulting from these studies |
Exploitation Route | The findings are of relevance to a number of sectors and may influence the work of those involved in two dimensional electron gases. The characterisation techniques will be of wide significance and the development of in-situ protocols at Diamond will be useful for a number of beamline users. |
Sectors | Energy Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
Description | The work undertaken has developed further understanding of key materials processes in the energy field and has led to discussion with a range of new potential project partners at international institutions and industries. We have also hosted researchers from abroad and provided training in a range of novel techniques that will enhance future interactions and provide for knowledge transfer. As we have sent staff to collaborators this also included knowledge transfer to our staff, enhancing their employability. The international exchanges support development of cultural understanding and development of research ethics training. We have further developed links with Diamond Light Source Ltd to further improve our understanding of the types of measurements and improvements to the technology that can be made, leading to the appointment of a co-funded postdoctoral researcher who will shortly submit further papers based on the data acquired during this award period. Our knowledge of these key characterisation technologies has led to the further development of funding proposals and to translation of the techniques into related fields such as battery technology. Further we have maintained our international links with partners developed during this period and continue to undertake collaborative work, and after the pandemic abates, will once again participate actively in hosting visiting researchers. Our continued success in this field has led to requests for numerous international PhD candidates to seek positions in the UK under the supervision of the team at Imperial. It is also the case that the researchers employed during this grant period have had success in securing positions and seeing growth in their careers, with one securing a lectureship in the UK, one a research management position and the co-investigators receiving recognition through promotion. |
First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
Sector | Energy |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
Description | EPSRC Platform Grant |
Amount | £1,304,889 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/R002010/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | EPSRC-JSPS Core to Core |
Amount | £1,001,181 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P026478/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 07/2022 |
Description | Strategic equipment grant |
Amount | £1,725,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P029914/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2017 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | Collaboration with Diamond Light Source |
Organisation | Diamond Light Source |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Diamond Light Source is a partner in this award and the contribution of the organisation has been invaluable in developing papers and proposals, and in analysing data. |
Collaborator Contribution | Input into running experiments, developing proposals, analysing data and writing papers. |
Impact | One paper currently in press. Others to follow. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Future Energy Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Part of the Imperial College Future Energy Festival event that promoted all of the energy research activities at college to a wide audience with talks, plenary lecture and demonstartions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Invited Seminar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited to deliver a seminar at ICMC Bordeaux |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Invited Seminar - UNIST Koreas |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Research seminar and promotion of work undertaken at imperial college. Potential future collaborations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Invited Talk - CIMTEC |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited talk entitled "Development and in-situ characterisation of fast ion conductors for SOFCs" at International conference. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Invited Talk - CONICET Buenos Aries |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited talk at a CONICET - Royal Society Workshop held in Buenos Aries. Title of talk was "Probing the structure and chemistry of buried interfaces in energy materials" Led to a new collaboration being established with Dr Lilian Mogni at CNEA Bariloche and funding from the Royal Society. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Invited Talk - Huake Fuel Cell Seminar Wuhan |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited talk entitled "Development of layered perovskite cathodes as effective mixed conducting electrodes" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Invited Talk - Nanjing University of Technology |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited Talk entitled "Investigating surfaces and interfaces in solid oxide fuel cell materials". Led to discussions regarding adjunct faculty positions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Invited seminar at Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited seminar given on the topic "Investigating surfaces and interfaces in electroceramic materials: challenges and opportunities" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Invited talk - EMRS 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited talk entitled "Probing the structure and chemistry of buried interfaces in fuel cell electrodes" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Invited workshop speaker |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Engaged as an international speaker in a NSF funded US-Africa workshop, highlighting and presenting opportunities to researchers in Africa (Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya etc) to partner with US and European researchers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://juami.ms.northwestern.edu/index.html |
Description | Schools outreach visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Invited to participate in a schools science event |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |