Fuel cells, high temperature electrolysis and hydrogen storage
Our research activities in the field of Hydrogen are focused on the elaboration, implementation and reactivity of materials for fuel cells and electrolysis devices (SOFC / SOE / PCFC – temperature range 400-700°C) as well as intermetallic hydrides materials for storage.
Our current axes of research are :
- Advanced anionic or protonic electrolyte materials:
GDC (Ce1-xGdxO2) ; SDC (Ce1-xSmxO2) or Ba1-xCexZr1-yYyO3 (BCZY) - High electro-catalytic cathode materials, possibly MIEC materials:
(La1-xSrx)(Co1-yFey)O3 ; (La1-xSrx)(Mn1-yFey)O3 - Anode cermet materials, possibly biogas/fossil gas hydrogen reformers:
GDC-Ni ; SDC-Ni ; BCZY-Ni - Advanced interconnect materials (coated or uncoated stainless steel)
- Intermetallic hydrides and perovskites for hydrogen storage
Development of metallic interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) or solid oxide electrolysers (SOE)
- Studies on chromia-forming alloys, low Cr steels, Ni-based alloys
- Study of high temperature reactivity and in-situ evaluation of conductivity (ASR) in single and dual atmospheres
- Characterisation of corrosion products (XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, SIMS) to identify the corrosion mechanism by coupling with isotopic markers experiments
- Impact of coatings on high temperature behaviour
Development of intermetallic hydrides for hydrogen storage
- Powder fabrication by atomisation, mechanical alloying and sol gel methods
- Determination of maximum hydrogen solubility: pressure composition isotherms (PCT)
- Characterisation of metallic and hydrogenated powders (XRD, SEM, TEM)
- Hybrid Tank Design and prototyping for fuel cell hybrid vehicles (FCHEV)
Development of fuel cell materials for IT-SOFC or PCFC type
- Ceramic Powder synthesis by Solid state reaction, Hydrothermal & Pechini routes
- Half cells and complete cells elaboration by co-taping and co-sintering process
- Electrochemical performance determination under working conditions
- Cell materials reactivity: electrode-electrolyte-interconnect interactions
- Isotopic marker experimentation for Hydrogen and Oxygen diffusion
Tools: controlled gas flow furnace, in-situ electrical measurements, dual atmosphere set-up (Probostat), electrochemical performances (Autolab), Open flanges set-up (Fiaxell), isotopic marker device …
Keywords: hydrogen production, metallic interconnects, ceramic materials, intermetallic compounds, conductivity, hydrogen storage, mechanical alloying, sol gel, powder atomisation, hydrothermal synthesis, PCT measurements