Development of high-performing electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, zinc-air batteries and electrolysers

The future economy based on renewable energy requires innovative solutions for energy storage and conversion. Renewable energy can be stored in batteries or converted to hydrogen via electrolysis, with fuel cells efficiently converting hydrogen back to electricity. Developing efficient, stable, and cost-effective catalysts for these devices is crucial for their widespread adoption. This project aims to create sustainable electrocatalysts for low-temperature fuel cells, rechargeable zinc-air batteries and anion exchange membrane water electrolysers. Novel mesoporous carbon supports will be prepared from sustainable organic precursors and further functionalised to achieve high electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction. Nanostructured nickel-iron catalysts will be designed for the oxygen evolution reaction. By correlating the electrochemical data with physicochemical analyses results, the synthesis conditions will be optimised to obtain efficient and durable electrocatalysts.