SMAllinOne

Smart Membrane for hydrogen energy conversion: All fuel cell functionalities in One material

Context and project objectives A breakthrough of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) requires a radical performances improvement of the key fuel cell material components (catalysts and protonic membrane) as well as highly innovative solutions to overcome the membrane assembly and integration limitations. The SMAllInOne project introduces a Smart All in One material concept. In this approach, a catalytic network is directly implanted in a protonic membrane. In addition, several functionalities will be added to this material in order to confer it smart properties such as water and crossover management, tailored porosity and 3D conformability. Work performed Volatile precursors suitable for the deposition of proton conductive membranes with vacuum techniques were synthesized (mainly persylilated precursors and perfluorinated esters precursors). The potential of these precursors as well as of some commercial precursors was evaluated via PECVD, iCVD and ASPD. The incorporation of carboxylic and sulfonic acid function into a fluorinated matrix via vacuum techniques (iCVD, PECVD) was developed. In order to synthesize catalytic layers with a growth process compatible with the deposition process of the proton conductive membrane various techniques were screened by the consortium (MOCVD, Co-deposition PECVD-PVD). Results achieved, intentions for use and impact The incorporation of sulfonic and carboxylic groups in a fluorinated matrix via plasma assisted and initiated CVD was successfully realized. The sulfonic functions results from the polymerisation of a perfluorinated sulfonyl fluoride precursor and post hydrolysis. The formation of the carboxylic groups results from the plasma polymerization of water with fluorinated precursors. For the simultaneous incorporation of catalytic nanoparticles, two approaches are developed. Plasma assisted MOCVD is being developed for the low temperature deposition of platinum clusters. It has been shown that the inclusion of metallic cluster in a carbonated matrix could be tuned via changing the plasma power. In parallel, platinum NPs have been deposited onto WO3 NPs via photodeposition.

TEM images of Pt NPs deposited onto WO3 NPs via photodeposition (right) & WO3 NP without any modification (left)

Expected end results, intentions for use and impact Future energy systems such as hydrogen and fuel cells are needed to face the increasing worldwide demand for energy (estimated to rise by more than 50% by the year 2030 1) shadowed by the increasing oil prices, as well as to permit the achievement of recently updated energy and climate change strategic policy objectives2. Expected result of the SMAllinone project is a reduction of the material and the fabrication costs. We target a reduction of the Platinum concentration: concentration of expensive platinum (~47/g)3 catalyst needs to be decreased without performances losses: the classical wet chemical approach leads to Pt particles fairly evenly distributed throughout the catalyst layer, the particles being active only when in contact with the provided gas supply and the proton conductive membrane (three phase contact). In the Allinone membrane, the Pt particulates will be localized near the active surface. In addition, the SMAllinOne project explores new fabrication methods by using vacuum technologies to build fuel cells. These techniques can be useful for large scale production like roll to roll. In addition, they can facilitate the monolithic integration of fuel cell directly for a reduction in the assembly time and costs. Finally, by developing 3D compatible techniques, we expect also an increase in power density.

Consortium
Coordinator Dr. Jessica THERY, jessica.thery@cea.fr, www.smallinone.eu Commissariat lEnergie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives France Partners Universita degli Studi di Bari Italy Surface Innovations Ltd United Kingdom Bar-Ilan University Israel Federal Mogul Systems Protection France IRD Fuel Cells A/S Denmark ALMA Consulting Group SAS France
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n NMP3-SL-2009-227177 SMAllinOne.

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http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/08/343668.shtml European Council : An Energy Policy for Europe- SET Plan 2007 COM(2007)1 3 http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/automotive/directives/proposals.htm