HyCentA Research GmbH’s Post

It always feels good to present your research work in front of good people. So here is our work on understanding dynamic processes in electrochemical reactions, which remains lacking, hindering efficient catalyst design in water electrolysis. This work focuses on understanding electrochemical reactions through in-situ Raman characterization and ICP-MS analysis, shedding light on catalyst performance and degradation, particularly in OER and HER. In situ Raman spectroscopy offers real-time insights into membrane electrolyzer cell dynamics. We designed a three-electrode cell for in-situ Raman experiments, revealing changes in iridium-oxygen bonds and electronic structure. ICP-MS analysis quantifies catalyst dissolution, showing time and potential-dependent factors. This integrated approach enhances understanding of PEM water electrolysis cells, aiding in catalyst optimization for sustainable hydrogen production. #waterelectrolysis #insitucherecterization #ICPMS #catalyst #OER #HER #energy #InsituRAMAN #fuelcell #MEA #electrolysis

Gate-All-Around Nanopore Osmotic Power Generators. Nanofluidic channels in a membrane represent a promising avenue for harnessing blue energy from salinity gradients, relying on permselectivity as a pivotal characteristic crucial for inducing electricity through diffusive ion transport. Surface charge emerges as a central player in the osmotic energy conversion process, emphasizing the critical significance of a judicious selection of membrane materials to achieve optimal ion permeability and selectivity within specific channel dimensions. Alternatively, here, a field-effect approach for in situ manipulation of the ion selectivity in a nanopore is reported. Application of voltage to a surround-gate electrode allows precise adjustment of the surface charge density at the pore wall. Leveraging the gating control, permselectivity turnover is demonstrated to enhance cation selective transport in multipore membranes, resulting in a 6-fold increase in the energy conversion efficiency with a power density of 15 W/m2 under a salinity gradient. These findings not only advance our fundamental understanding of ion transport in nanochannels but also provide a scalable and efficient strategy for nanoporous membrane osmotic power generation. https://lnkd.in/g5zQdC63

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) via electrochemistry, what’s next? From the conclusions of the paper: (1) Pathway elucidation and catalyst design: further research is needed to understand the various reaction pathways, particularly for C2+ production, in the ECR systems. The development of in-situ spectroscopy techniques, theoretical calculations, simulation methods, and machine learning technologies will be crucial in unraveling these pathways and the complex relationships between electrode material properties and electrochemical performance. This knowledge will facilitate the design of highly efficient electrocatalysts. (2) Overall process optimization: to improve the overall energy conversion efficiency in CCU systems, attention should be given to multiple processes beyond ECR. These include product separation, CO2 neutralization in electrolytes, CO2 crossover to the anode, and the sluggish anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Integration of CO2 capture and electrolysis systems, such as (bi) carbonate/amine-CO2-fed electrolysis, acidic ECR, and alternative anodic reactions, are potentially beneficial for achieving high utilization efficiency of mass and energy. (3) Synergistic coupling electrochemistry with other chemistries: exploring synergistic systems that combine electrochemistry with photochemistry, thermochemistry, and biochemistry could enhance the ECR process. For example, thermal hydrogenation of bicarbonate can achieve high carbon conversion at room temperature (90%), but it requires high-pressure H2.[52] Investigating the possibility of combining electrochemistry and thermochemistry might enhance bicarbonate conversion. Additionally, exploring the potential for supplying extra energy from photochemical, thermal, or bioenergy sources to compensate for the energy requirements of electrochemical systems might improve electricity utilization efficiency. (4) Decrease the energy consumption of electrochemical CO2 capture and electrolysis systems: the energy conversion efficiencies of electrochemical CO2 capture and electrolysis systems still need improvement, such as mitigating polarization and reducing the overpotentials. Additionally, challenges related to cost, stability, and kinetics in these systems must be overcome to enable their practical implementation. Link to the research paper: https://lnkd.in/enMgiqfD In the Netherlands TNO VoltaChem is developing innovative CCU solutions: https://lnkd.in/eGkK-J9E #ccu #electrochemistry #p2X #power2x #chemistry #energyefficiency #electrification #carbondioxide

**********Physical Insights into High-Pressure Electrochemistry ************** The applications of electrochemical synthesis at elevated pressure are increasing. For instance, water splitting at high H2 delivery pressures, Li-mediated N2 reduction to ammonia, and CO2 reduction to liquid products. However, little is known about the underlying theories and practices in implementing high-pressure electrochemical reactors. Learn about the physics of high-pressure electrochemistry and its implementation from our recent article, "High-Pressure Electrochemistry - A New Frontier in Decarbonization," which explores the potential of high-pressure to improve selectivities (Faradaic efficiency), enhance kinetic rate (current density), lower cell potential (high voltage efficiency), and better catalysts stability. Published in the EES Catalysis journal, this Perspective sheds light on fundamental theories and practices. 💡 Electrochemical synthesis at high pressures can: (1) Help reduce the electrical energy demand with a marginal (~2%) contribution from energy to pressurize the reactor. (2) Shift Pourbaix lines more for redox reactions with the lower number of electrons. (3) Directly impact the binding energies of reaction intermediates. (4) Improve gas solubilities in liquid as well as in polymer-matrix. (5) Improve selectivity by suppressing HER/OER. Due to the electrostriction effect. (6) Increase capacitance of the double layer, helping in stabilizing intermediates. (7) Increase activity coefficient of electrolytes but also increase viscosity. (8) Decrease CAPEX and OPEX costs 🔬 Advanced Reactor Designs: >> We explore various reactor designs for high-pressure synthesis and in-situ characterization studies. >> We also discuss differential pressure, dynamic operation, and safety considerations. 📖 Read the Full Open Access Article: https://lnkd.in/gUh2c-gn Congratulations to lead author Nishithan C. Kani, Samuel Olusegun, Dr. Rohit Chauhan, and corresponding author Joseph Gauthier. #sustainablechemistry #highpressure #electrochemistry #GreenChemicals #Innovation

Are you facing challenges or would like to get an overview of how to build and evaluate solid-state battery cells (SSB)? 🔋🔬📈 Our latest white paper, made in collaboration with hte GmbH, dives deep into all the tricks behind this cutting-edge technology. Here are five examples of critical challenges that we are addressing and that every researcher in this field faces: ▪ Why am I getting some strange results from my electrochemical tests on SSB cells? ▪ How to best prepare the materials for setting up the tests? ▪ What levels of mechanical pressure should be used for sample preparation and tests of different cell types? ▪ What are the most interesting tests to perform and how to make sure the data coming out of it is consistent? Our guide offers practical solutions to these challenges. Dive into detailed best practices and strategies that can uplift your research. 👉 Download the white paper and start advancing your research today! https://lnkd.in/eNEHBPzB #battery #innovation #energystorage #energytransition #cleanenergy #renewableenergy #lithiumion

🌟🔋 We would like to share a high impact publication in the field of #Lithium-ion #batteries co-authored by our very own Scientific Director, Montse Casas Cabanas, and colleague, Dimitrios Chatzogiannakis, in collaboration with INSTITUT DE CIÈNCIA DE MATERIALS DE BARCELONA (ICMAB-CSIC), Umicore and ALBA Synchrotron on "Understanding charge transfer dynamics in blended positive electrodes for Li-ion batteries." 📚🔬 This study, published in Energy Storage Materials, sheds light on the intricate mechanisms of charge transfer within blended positive electrodes, marking a significant advance in #battery technology. The insights gained could lead to the development of more efficient and durable Li-ion batteries, which are crucial for #sustainable energy solutions. 🌍💡 https://lnkd.in/dKiZYk7q

How long does it take to learn Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and apply it to analyze batteries? 🔋⚡️ I feel like it takes TOO LONG! 😅 How about you? I’m excited to announce that I’ll be focusing on sharing resources on EIS for batteries in the coming weeks. ⚡️🤩⚡️ ❓If you have any questions about EIS, please share them in the comments below or by submitting them through the form in the comments: “Submit Your EIS Questions!” ⚡️⚡️⚡️ This way, I can answer them! 😊 #batteries #innovation #research #technology #data #eis #impedance #electrochemicalimpedancespectroscopy

Everyone talks about #PEM Fuel Cell … but what about #SOFC? Usually, when people talk about Fuel Cell, they are referring to Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells due its popularization as power force for light and heavy duty vehicles. Solid oxide fuel cells (#SOFC) are another type of fuel cell that adopts solid oxide or ceramic electrolytes. They are used to produce electricity from direct fuel oxidation and mainly used as auxiliary power units in land or sea transport and also stationary power generation. The CHALLENGE of SOFC is regarding to the thermal material expansion which it requires a uniform and well-controlled heating process during startup. The performance and lifetime improvements are another important aspect that demand a detailed insight into the impact of local cell internal conditions on the governing transport and conversion processes. SOLUTION: AVL FIRE™ M offers comprehensive modeling functionalities for solid oxide fuel cell simulation to optimize the space and time resolved flow distribution, temperature profiles, gas concentrations and current density distribution etc. to ensure well controlled stack startup and steady operation. AVL APPROACH: In this study, the simulation of a Solid oxide fuel cell assembly using FIRE™ M is shown. To produce a useful voltage multiple cells are connected in series, in this application, five cells were combined to a stack. This cell interconnection is accomplished by using a so-called “Interconnect” making connections all over the surface of one cathode and the anode of the next cell. The positive electrode (cathode) feed the oxygen from the air to the assembly and fuel is feed from the negative electrode (anode). #cfd #AVL_FIRE_M #fuelcell #innovation #future #EnablingVirtualDevelopment 

I am very excited to announce the publication of our new article titled “Simultaneous enhancement of CO2 adsorption capacity and kinetics on a novel micro-mesoporous MIL-101(Cr)-based composite: Experimental and DFT study” in the prestigious Journal of CO2 Utilization. MIL-101(Cr), a class of metal-organic framework, is a potential candidate for CO2 capture applications because of its high capacity of adsorption and separation capability. However, the intrinsic microporous structure of this nanomaterial poses limitations on its adsorption kinetics. Techniques employed to enhance its adsorption kinetics often adversely impact its adsorption capacity at equilibrium. Herein, as a new approach, we prepared amine-functionalized FAC@MIL-101(Cr) composites with adjustable micro-mesoporous structure and tunable nitrogen content by embedding different ratios of amine-functionalized activated carbon throughout the framework of MIL-101(Cr). This led to a simultaneous improvement in both kinetics and adsorption capacity for CO2 making the composite an excellent candidate for CO2 capture applications. Parallel to the experimental efforts, we have conducted DFT simulations to further explain the observed phenomena. The full article can be found through the following link: https://lnkd.in/gvUmng7t I extend my heartfelt thanks to my coauthors for their invaluable contributions and support. #CO2capture #adsorbent #CCU #energy #renewableenergy #DFT #composite #carboncapture #microporous #nanomaterials #mesoporous #MIL #kinetics

Everyone talks about #PEM Fuel Cell … but what about #SOFC? AVL supports both. #avl #simulation #avlfirem #fuelcell #pemfc #sofc