Functionalised Nanohybrids for Electrochemical Applications
PD Dr. Michael Wark University of Hanover Institute of Physical Chemistry & Electrochemistry Hanover
In collaboration with:
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Caro University of Hanover Institute of Physical Chemistry & Electrochemistry Hanover
Prof. Dr. Thomas Frauenheim Universität Bremen Bremer Centrum für Computational Materials Science Bremen
The methods established so far for the production of functional membranes will be applied in order to create hybrid systems from oxide ceramic nanoparticles and silicon organic matrices reproducible in a technically relevant dimension and quality. Research work focuses on the development of new bi-functional inorganic particles which serve as a reservoir and as a proton conductor and which are homogeneously incorporated into bi-functional, mechanically stable and proton-conducting high-temperature resistant polysiloxane membranes. Subsequently, gradient-free, dense membranes as well as proton-conducting membranes will be generated. On the basis of these hybrid membranes, membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) will be characterised and produced for an operating temperature of 120-170°C. This will enable the development of new polysiloxane-based electrocatalytic films, which will be ideally matched to the membrane systems and applied to the membrane by means of the screen-printing technique. The modelling work serves to clarify the structural requirements of the proton conductor and the water management in the inorganic particles and in the polysiloxane-derived matrix and to provide reasons for the improved membrane syntheses and properties.
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