Design and manufacturing of hybrid carbon nanofibre materials for fuel cell electrodes

基于对清洁和可持续能源的迫切需求，我们提出了基于超细纳米复合碳纤维催化剂载体的结构和化学可控的燃料电池催化剂层。利用纤维结构设计集成制造的方法，我们将阐明一系列控制参数对燃料电池性能和耐久性的影响。通过原位合成和共静电纺丝，纳米纤维将被铂和合适的纳米填料（如碳纳米管）功能化。通过将设计与制造过程联系起来，可扩展性问题将得到解决，从而为未来可负担得起的可转移到工业的纳米纤维燃料电池的制造建立途径。在研究生和博士后的大力参与下，该项目将为纳米纤维燃料电池的新产业培养新一代HQP。

Motivated by the urgent need for clean and sustainable source of energy we propose to develop structurally and chemically controllable fuel cell catalyst layers based on ultrafine nanocomposite carbon fibre catalyst support. Utilizing the method of integration of fibre architecture design for manufacturing we will elucidate the effect of a range of controlled parameters on fuel cell performance and durability. By in situ synthesis and co-electrospinning the nanofibres will be functionalized with Pt and suitable nanofillers such as carbon nanotubes. By connecting design with fabrication process the scalability issue will be addressed thus establishing the pathway for the manufacturing of future affordable nanofibre based fuel cell transferrable to the industry. With strong participation of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows this program will train a new generation of HQP for the new industry of nanofibre based fuel cells.