Grant: Strategic Projects - Group

The deployment of cost-competitive, highly efficient, and environmentally benign energy conversion technologies is a major global challenge. In spite of excellent technological prospects, commercialization of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFCs) in transportation, electronics, and stationary power generation is far from being guaranteed. Critical progress in power density, cost reduction, and durability hinges on new concepts in the design of structurally optimized catalyst layers (CLs) with high reactivity at ultra-low content of platinum (Pt). Our effort integrates complementary research competencies in theory and modelling of electrochemical materials for fuel cells, materials design and characterization, electrochemical surface science, and fabrication and experimental diagnostics of operational PEFCs. Advanced CLs will be developed in parallel along different avenues as directed by modeling studies. Two of the proposed architectures for improving performance and cost-effectiveness are ultrathin and hierarchically structured substrates onto which nanoparticles of Pt are deposited. Conductive substrate materials incorporating Pt will be fabricated and characterized at 4D LABS and Queen's. Integration into PEFCs and in-situ evaluation will be performed in collaboration with the NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation (IFCI). Modeling studies at SFU, U. Alberta, and NRC IFCI will determine initial design specifications, provide diagnostic capabilities, and establish the basis for the systematic structural optimization of the layers. Confidence in the principal feasibility of the targeted improvements is predicated upon our insights into structure, processes, and performance of CLs from theory and modeling. Confidence in its practicability stems from recent advances in materials science, which provides various routes to the fabrication of host materials, consisting of ordered, hierarchically structured or disordered networks of nanochannels. Envisaged advances will continue to position Canada as a world leader in fuel cell development. Highly qualified personnel will receive first hand training with access to modern theoretical and experimental tools and techniques.