DECORE

Direct ElectroChemical Oxidation Reaction of Ethanol: optimization of the catalyst/support assembly for high temperature operation (DECORE)

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The main general goal of DECORE is to achieve the fundamental knowledge needed for the development of a fuel cell (FC) electrode, which can operate efficiently (both in terms of activity and selectivity) as the anode of a direct ethanol (EOH) FC (DEFC) in the temperature range between 150-200 °C (intermediate-T). Such a technology is still lacking in the market. The choice for EOH as an alternative energy source is well founded on the abundance of bioethanol, and on the relatively simpler storage and use with respect to other energy carriers. The intermediate-T is required for an efficient and selective total conversion of EOH to CO2, so exploiting the maximum number of electrons in the DEFC. DECORE will explore the use of fully innovative supports (based on titanium oxycarbide, TiOxCy) and nano-catalysts (based on group 6 metal carbides, MCx, M=Mo,W), which have never been tested in literature as anodes for DEFCs. The new support is expected to be more durable than standard carbon supports at the targeted temperature. The innovative nano-catalysts would be noble-metal free, so reducing Europe’s reliance on imported precious metals. To tailor the needed materials, the active role of the support and nano-catalyst will be studied at atomic level. Demonstrating an activity of such nano-catalyst/support assembly at intermediate-T would open a novel route where DEFCs with strongly reduced production costs would have an impact on a fast industrialisation. The power range for the envisioned application is of the order of hundreds of Watts, i.e. the so called distributed generation, having an impact for devices such as weather stations, medical devices, signal units, auxiliary power units, gas sensors and security cameras. By the end of the project, a bench-top single DEFC operating at intermediate-T will be built and tested.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Tapping waste crops as a feedstock to produce fuel has tremendous potential to reduce oil dependence. An EU-funded project is developing suitable fuel cell components to feed bioethanol directly to the fuel cell.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Ethanol is becoming a desirable target fuel for use in direct-ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs). Given its high energy density, carbon-neutral materials, and relatively easy storage and use, it is an ideal fuel. However, a major hurdle to the commercial use of DEFCs is their inefficient electrochemical oxidation at low temperatures.

In the EU-funded project http://decore.eucoord.com/ (DECORE), the project team is working on developing a fuel cell anode that operates between 150 and 200 degrees Celsius. Such temperatures favour selective and efficient oxidation of ethanol into carbon dioxide.

The team is exploring the use of innovative supports and nanocatalysts that hitherto have not been used as components for DEFC anodes. Based on titanium oxycarbide, these supports should overcome issues related with carbon ones in such temperatures, such as catalyst failure and corrosion of the support itself. Furthermore, they should have sufficient electrical conductivity and great porosity. On the side of the nanocatalyst, development of nanoparticles based on metal carbides are targeted, following the EU guidelines aiming at reducing the reliance on precious metals.

Project work includes a full characterisation of the anode supports and nanocatalysts in terms of their physicochemical properties. Another task will be a lab-scale validation of the support/nanocatalyst assembly. Development of standardised testing tools in a half-cell configuration will help determine the activity of the non-precious metal catalysts. The assembly will be also tested in existing test rigs of high-temperature fuel cells using hydrogen or synthetic reformate at the anode and air at the cathode.

So far, project members have synthesised and characterised titanium oxycarbide supports of high surface area, and prepared metal carbide nanopowders with sizes below 20 nm. Another focus has been on atomic-scale studies of the degradation of synthesised catalysts.

Ethanol oxidation efficiency is expected to receive a boost in the temperature range of 150-200 degrees Celsius. DECORE will build and test a benchtop DEFC in case the catalyst/support assembly achieves the targeted performance. In general, DECORE should minimise the environmental impact of fuel cells given that they are running on ethanol that is derived from renewable sources.