Faculté des Sciences Appliquées Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Nanomaterials, Catalysis, Electrochemistry Nathalie Job Associate professor Department of Applied Chemistry University of Liège
Faculté des Sciences Appliquées Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Nanomaterials, Catalysis, Electrochemistry Permanent staff: C. Gommes, B. Heinrichs, N. Job, S. Lambert, (J.-P. Pirard) Research engineers/ PhD students / Postdocs: C. Alié D. Eskenazi C. Calberg A. Léonard G. Caldarella G. Léonard V. Claude D. Liquet F. Deschamps J. Mahy S. Douven P.-Y. Olu C. Páez M.-L. Piedboeuf S. Pirard V. Stergiopoulos L. Tasseroul A. Zubiaur Technician: J. Geens www.nce.ulg.ac.be
Faculté des Sciences Appliquées Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Nanomaterials, Catalysis, Electrochemistry Background whyhydrogen?
Nanomaterials Definition: Nanometricsize (nm) in one dimension at least 10 nm Dispersed material with a very high surface/volume ratio New properties related to micro and macro scales
Catalystsand porousmaterials Inorganic gels loaded with metal nanoparticles Nature : SiO 2, ZrO 2, TiO 2, Al 2 O 3, and mixed oxides Pd/SiO 2, Pd-Cu/SiO 2, Fe-Co/Al 2 O 3,... Applications : dechlorinationof chlorinated by-products, total oxidation of VOCs, production of carbon nanotubes, adsorbents, bacterial remediation, catalytic purification of biogas Carbon gels loaded with metal nanoparticles Nature: C, Pt/C, Pd-Ag/C, Ni/C,... Applications: supports for catalysts and electrocatalysts, adsorbents 20 nm
FromLaboratoryto Industry Carbonnanotubes by continuous process Films (Collaboration with Nanocyl S.A.) Catalytic layers by spray
Applications in fuel cells Transport Main advantages: - High efficiency - No pollutant exhaust - Flexibility Portable Stationary
Applications in fuel cells Bipolar plate Anode Membrane Cathode Bipolar plate Proton Exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell
Applications in fuel cells Bipolar plate Anode Membrane Cathode Bipolar plate Membrane Nafion 20-30 µm Diffusion Couche de layer diffusion Couche Diffusion de layer diffusion Couche catalytique Cathodic catalytic anodique (H 2 ) layer (H 2 ) Couche catalytique Anodic catalytic cathodique (Air) layer (O 2 ) Catalyticlayer Diffusion layer Pt/carbon catalyst 25-60 wt. %
Applications in fuel cells Development at large scale: hurdles Cost: niche market mass market now: 2000 4000 /kw target: 50-100 /kw 1/3 plates 1/3 catalyst 1/3 membranes RoadmapDOE 2015: 73 $/kw at 500.000 units/ year Potential market Increases rapidly 2009 : 340 M 2013 : 720 M 2014 : 1.2 G Durability Now: 1500 2000 h target: 5000 h
Achievements Validation of innovative materials Assembly Corrosion tests Performance measurement on PEM fuel celltest bench Contact resistance measurement
Achievements Design of innovative materials Replacement of conventionalcarbonblack support by nanostructuredcarbonmaterialsto enhancemass transport and metal dispersion Increase of efficiency BetterPt use Diffusion layer Membrane Nafion Diffusion layer Anodic catalytic layer (H 2 ) cathodic catalytic layer (Air) 10 nm Catalyst: Pt/carbon xerogel
Achievements Design of innovative materials Bipolar plate Membrane Anode Cathode Bipolar plate Bipolar plates Machined graphite Studyof coatedstainlesssteelto replace machined graphite lowercost lower weight
The future Design of innovative materials Increase catalyst lifetime new catalyst design new supports Replacement of Pt by other active phases Collaboration with other research centres/universities new membrane materials new bipolar plate materials
The future Design and manufacture of components e.g. membrane-electrode assemblies from new materials Membrane Nafion Diffusion layer Diffusion layer Optimization of contacts between elements Anodic catalytic layer (H 2 ) cathodic catalytic layer (Air)
The future Design and manufacture of components e.g. bipolar plates from coated stainless steel 1/ Design optimization to enhance performances 2/ whiletakingintoaccountthe future manufacture constraints. - Material deformability? - Assembly? - Large-scale production
The future Design of stacks Membraneelectrodes assembly Gas distribution channels End plate Bipolar plate Repetition unit Target Minimum 1 kw
The future Implementation in vehicles Membraneelectrodes assembly Gas distribution channels End plate Bipolar plate Repetition unit Target 1 kw Kart equippedwitha fuel cell: Project Interreg4a ASTE ULg-LTAS (Departmentof Mechanicsand Aerospace) Design of stacks from new materials
Thank you for your attention Membrane Nafion Diffusion layer Diffusion layer Anodic catalytic layer (H 2 ) cathodic catalytic layer (Air) www.nce.ulg.ac.be