Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
University of Western Ontario
$40,000.00
Development and design of 3D nanowire-based electrodes for low-cost and high-performance PEM fuel cells
FY 2011-12
Summary
There is a growing awareness that nanoscience and nanotechnology can have a profound impact on energy generation, storage, and utilization. Nanotechnology-based solutions are being developed for a wide range of energy problems such as: solar cells, hydrogen generation and storage, batteries, and fuel cells. Dr. Sun's research will apply nanotechnology to address challenges in fuel cells for clean energy. Cost and durability are two major roadblocks that have to be overcome before proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system can become economically viable. Therefore, novel electrode design, and development of a low cost and stable catalyst and catalyst support, will provide us the means to reduce the cost and performance gaps towards commercial viability.
The objectives of this research are to fabricate three-dimensional, highly efficient fuel cell electrodes based on the design of novel nanomaterials. The proposed research project is associated with fabrication and characterization of metal carbide, nitride and silicide nanowires as supports and platinum nanowires and atomic layer thin films as catalysts to obtain significantly improved properties and performance of the nanomaterials used in fuel cells. Our increased understanding of the interaction between Pt and its supports will help guide us in designing nanostructured fuel cell electrodes with a controlled structure and enhanced catalytic properties. It is expected that integrated nanomaterials-based fuel cell electrodes will be ideal materials for providing a higher catalytic performance, high catalyst utilization, efficient mass transport, and a longer fuel cell operational life. The successful completion of this innovative research project could significantly lower the cost (toward the commercially viable target of 0.1 mg/cm2 Pt loadings) and enhance the stability of fuel cells, thereby accelerating the fuel cell commercialization process. This project has great potential to contribute significantly both to the nanotechnology and energy and environmental sectors of Canada.
Program
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
311964-2009
Name nom
Sun, Xueliang
Department département
Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Organization id
36
Institution établissement
University of Western Ontario
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2011
Competition year année de concours
2009
Award amount
40000
Program id
RGPIN
Program nane en
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Program name fr
Programme de subventions à la découverte - individuelles
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
4
Committee name en
Chem. & Metallurgical Eng.
Committee name fr
Génies chimique et métal.
Area of application code
305
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Energy storage and conversion
Area of application fr
Stockage et transformation de l'énergie
Research subject code
2000
Research subject group en
Materials science and technology
Research subject group fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Research subject en
Materials science and technology
Research subject fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Partie
3
Nb partie
5
Application title
Development and design of 3D nanowire-based electrodes for low-cost and high-performance PEM fuel cells
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
There is a growing awareness that nanoscience and nanotechnology can have a profound impact on energy generation, storage, and utilization. Nanotechnology-based solutions are being developed for a wide range of energy problems such as: solar cells, hydrogen generation and storage, batteries, and fuel cells. Dr. Sun's research will apply nanotechnology to address challenges in fuel cells for clean energy. Cost and durability are two major roadblocks that have to be overcome before proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system can become economically viable. Therefore, novel electrode design, and development of a low cost and stable catalyst and catalyst support, will provide us the means to reduce the cost and performance gaps towards commercial viability.
The objectives of this research are to fabricate three-dimensional, highly efficient fuel cell electrodes based on the design of novel nanomaterials. The proposed research project is associated with fabrication and characterization of metal carbide, nitride and silicide nanowires as supports and platinum nanowires and atomic layer thin films as catalysts to obtain significantly improved properties and performance of the nanomaterials used in fuel cells. Our increased understanding of the interaction between Pt and its supports will help guide us in designing nanostructured fuel cell electrodes with a controlled structure and enhanced catalytic properties. It is expected that integrated nanomaterials-based fuel cell electrodes will be ideal materials for providing a higher catalytic performance, high catalyst utilization, efficient mass transport, and a longer fuel cell operational life. The successful completion of this innovative research project could significantly lower the cost (toward the commercially viable target of 0.1 mg/cm2 Pt loadings) and enhance the stability of fuel cells, thereby accelerating the fuel cell commercialization process. This project has great potential to contribute significantly both to the nanotechnology and energy and environmental sectors of Canada.
