Functionalised Nanohybrids for Electrochemical Applications
 

PD Dr. Michael Wark
University of Hanover
Institute of Physical
Chemistry & Electrochemistry
Hanover

In collaboration with:

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Caro
University of Hanover
Institute of Physical
Chemistry & Electrochemistry
Hanover


Prof. Dr. Thomas Frauenheim
Universität Bremen
Bremer Centrum für Computational Materials Science
Bremen



The methods established so far for the production of functional membranes will be applied in order to create hybrid systems from oxide ceramic nanoparticles and silicon organic matrices reproducible in a technically relevant dimension and quality. Research work focuses on the development of new bi-functional inorganic particles which serve as a reservoir and as a proton conductor and which are homogeneously incorporated into bi-functional, mechanically stable and proton-conducting high-temperature resistant polysiloxane membranes. Subsequently, gradient-free, dense membranes as well as proton-conducting membranes will be generated. On the basis of these hybrid membranes, membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) will be characterised and produced for an operating temperature of 120-170°C. This will enable the development of new polysiloxane-based electrocatalytic films, which will be ideally matched to the membrane systems and applied to the membrane by means of the screen-printing technique. The modelling work serves to clarify the structural requirements of the proton conductor and the water management in the inorganic particles and in the polysiloxane-derived matrix and to provide reasons for the improved membrane syntheses and properties.