Novel Materials in Alkaline Water Electrolysis

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Countries around the globe face significant societal challenges linked to declining reserves of non-renewable energy sources, environmental pollution associated with greenhouse gas production, and the negative impacts of climate change. Extensive efforts to develop alternative, clean sources of energy such as hydrogen have become of ever increasing importance. Wind, solar and hydroelectric power, when used in the electrochemical splitting of water into oxygen and hydrogen (H2O = H2 + 1/2 O2) in a device known as an electrolyser, has the potential to meet these challenges. Canada continues to be a key player in technologies for hydrogen (H2) production (e.g. Electrolyser, Stuart Energy, Hydrogenics, Next Hydrogen).*******Current polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyser cells utilize precious metals (e.g. platinum) to catalyze these water splitting reactions. In spite of significant progress on this front, high material costs and long term service reliability issues make such devices expensive. Consequently, it is imperative for the development of future water electrolysers to develop device technologies that completely eliminate the need for precious metals.*******The key reaction that has proven most challenging is the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) from water. In particular, modifications of the structure and chemistry of cobalt alloys have proven them to be amongst the best alternatives for low cost OER electrocatalysts in alkaline based environments. However, even the best of these materials still have to overcome high power requirements and poor reaction rates for the OER reaction indicating a fundamental need for new materials. This proposal is targeted at developing new low cost, stable and reliable, amorphous metal Co-base electrocatalysts to overcome these limitations in the evolution of oxygen in next generation anion exchange membrane alkaline water electrolysers to enhance Canadian competitiveness.*******This NSERC Discovery grant is anticipated to produce transformative, paradigm-changing research outcomes, focusing on the area of hydrogen production in which Canada is or can be a world leader. Graduate and undergraduate students participating in the research program will receive high-quality multidisciplinary training in critical thinking and problem solving, spanning chemistry, physics, engineering, and computing / mathematical modeling. In a global context, it responds to the needs of a rapidly-changing society and market demand for clean energy solutions. The concerted, comprehensive effort of this team of highly qualified personnel will lead to viable prototypes of alkaline water electrolysers at the end of the 5 years which will assist Canada in meeting our growing energy demand while also ensuring environmental stewardship.******