Iron atoms coordinated to Nitrogen within Carbon (Fex-N-C) electrocatalysts for Fuel Cells and Electrolysers

项目目标：开发现有铂族电催化剂的可持续替代品，用于聚合物电解质膜燃料电池/电解器，使用丰富的元素（C， N, Fe）来减少氧气和氧化水。项目目标:利用在线电化学质谱法、气相色谱法和电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法研究催化剂的降解过程；结合电化学方法和“In operando”研究，如扩展x射线吸收精细结构，了解重要的电化学氧化/还原反应；质谱和穆斯堡尔揭示反应机制在燃料电池中安装最佳电催化剂，随后进行稳定性测试和极化曲线的测定，以比较性能了解实际设备中的质量传递和扩散。x射线计算机断层扫描和建模将用于了解催化剂的形态，孔隙率和三相点界面（O2，电解质和电催化剂之间）如何影响性能

Project Aim: Develop sustainable alternatives to existing Platinum group electrocatalysts for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells/electrolysers, using abundant elements (C, N, Fe) to reduce oxygen and oxidise water.Project Objectives: Synthesise high concentrations of Fex-N-C electrocatalyst sites from various feedstocksReveal catalyst degradation using online electrochemical mass spectrometry, gas chromatography and Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopyUnderstand important electrochemical oxidation/reduction reactions by combining electrochemical methods with "In operando" studies such as Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure, Mass Spectroscopy and Mossbauer to reveal reaction mechanismsInstallation of optimum electrocatalysts in Fuel Cells followed by stability testing and determination of polarisation curves to compare performanceUnderstand mass transport and diffusion in real devices. X-ray computed tomography and modelling will be used to comprehend how the catalyst morphology, porosity and the triple point interface (between O2, electrolyte and electrocatalyst) affects performance