Ni-BASED FERROMAGNETIC COATINGS WITH ENHANCED EFFICIENCY TO REPLACE Pt IN ENERGY & DIGITAL STORAGE APPLICATIONS

铂族金属(PGM)的独特性质使其在可再生能源、电力流动和数字技术等不同战略部门中不可或缺。不幸的是，PGM价格昂贵，欧洲依赖于从其他大陆进口它们，这对关键工业部门的战略应用开发来说是一个高风险。由于这些原因，PGM被欧共体归类为关键原材料(CRM)。因此，找到它们的替代品对欧盟经济至关重要。在这方面，NICKEFFECT项目确定了在电解槽电极、燃料电池催化剂和磁电子器件等关键应用中取代这些材料的机会。所提出的替代方案是基于镍(Ni)，这是一种富含地球的元素，具有铁磁性。为了提高镍的催化性能，创新的沉积技术将被开发出来，以获得具有有序和伪有序孔隙率的涂层。增加的孔隙率提供了更高的表面积与体积比，将有助于提高电子设备中的催化性能或逆转磁电效应(CME)。NICKEFFECT将开发和验证至少3种新材料，以及涂层方法(包括工艺建模)和材料选择的决策支持工具(结合安全和可持续设计(SSBD)标准和材料建模)。NICKEFFECT项目汇集了一个由12个不同合作伙伴组成的强大财团，这些合作伙伴具有互补的概况和丰富的专业知识，涵盖了该项目预期的特殊技能、能力和认证。

Platinum group metals (PGM) are currently highly demanded due to their unique properties which have made them indispensable in different strategic sectors as renewable energy, electric mobility and digital technologies. Unfortunately, PGMs are costly and Europe depends on their importation from other continents, which is nowadays a high risk for the development of strategic applications in key industrial sectors. For these reasons PGMs are categorized as critical raw materials (CRM) by the EC. Thus, finding alternatives to them is critical for the EU economy. In this context, NICKEFFECT project has identified an opportunity to replace these materials in key applications as electrolysers electrodes, fuel cells catalysts and magneto-electronic devices. The proposed alternative is based on nickel (Ni), an earth-abundant element with ferromagnetic character. To enhance the catalytic performance of Ni, innovative deposition techniques to obtain coatings, with ordered and pseudo-ordered porosity, will be developed. The higher surface to volume ratio provided by the increased porosity will allow enhancing catalytic performance or converse magnetoelectric effect (CME) in electronic devices. NICKEFFECT will develop and validate at least 3 new materials, together with the coating methodologies (including process modelling) and decision support tools for materials selection (integrating safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) criteria and materials modelling). The NICKEFFECT project brings together a strong consortium composed of twelve different partners with complementary profiles and large expertise, covering the special skills, capabilities and certification expected for the project.