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Description
The Code-PEM project aims to contribute to the development of electrochemical reactors for hydrogen generation, through novel design and implementation solutions, optimized in terms of cost and weight, respectively with an improved reliability of the main component - the bipolar plate of electrolyzers with proton-exchanging membranes
The development of optimized components for hydrogen generation proposed in the project contributes to the promotion of sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions that allow the replacement of combustion systems with fuel cells based on chemical reactions, which produce only water and heat as reaction products.
Summary of project results
The CoDe-PEM project aimed to contribute to the development of affordable proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis systems by enhancing design and coating solutions for bipolar plates. Through an interdisciplinary partnership, the project addressed challenges related to plate cost and weight, corrosion of anode and cathode, electric resistance, and durability. The goal was to identify optimal compositions that would prevent rapid performance degradation due to the formation of electrically resistive surface oxide scales and potential contamination by dissolved ions from the metal plates. The project''s innovation is based on implementing combinatorial exploration via magnetron sputtering deposition of thin film libraries to identify affordable combinations of substrate-coating for bipolar plates in PEM electrolyzers. This method was successfully applied to optimize bipolar plates based on more affordable coating compositions, facilitating accelerated innovation in bipolar plate materials through the exploration of compositional spread coatings libraries.
The most important achievements of the CoDe-PEM Project include the establishment of a successful partnership based on knowledge sharing and focused on developing technical solutions for hydrogen energy optimization, a subject less explored in Romania. For this, we implemented a research tool for accelerated innovation via thin film compositional spreads, facilitated by equipment for magnetron sputtering purchased with project funds and installed at the Romanian partner''s institution. Additionally, we developed methods for accurate measurement of interfacial contact resistance, a critical characteristic of bipolar plate performance. Using these tools, we were able to identify coating compositions with reduced platinum content and less expensive substrates for use in bipolar plates. Our work was disseminated through the organization of webinars on green energy in Norway and Romania, attracting audiences from around the world. More information can be found on the project website: https://www.sintef.no/projectweb/codepem/.
Among the main achievements and their importance in the project area, we highlight the design, acquisition, and installation of a sputtering system. This system facilitated the experiments and enabled further collaboration between the partners on subsequent applications. The use of combinatorial exploration via compositional spreads for accelerated innovation in bipolar plates research successfully identified more affordable material combinations (substrate and coating).
Furthermore, we conducted compositional, surface topography, electrochemical, and interfacial contact resistance characterization of the thin film-generated compositional spread libraries, leading to the creation of property maps. We designed and manufactured bipolar plates using different materials, including titanium, austenitic, and ferritic stainless steel. In parallel, we optimized the ex situ experimental stands for interfacial contact resistance measurements using innovative solutions, culminating in a patent application submitted by the partners.
The manufactured bipolar plates (substrate with homogeneous or layered coatings) allowed us to identify optimized solutions with reduced platinum content, based on in situ and ex situ tests. All these achievements of the partners in the CoDe-PEM project were aligned with the goal of identifying more affordable material combinations (substrate and coating) for bipolar plates. The results will provide more cost-efficient solutions for the generation of green hydrogen via water electrolysis.
Summary of bilateral results
Based on the CoDe-PEM Project''s results and implications in hydrogen energy, a new EEA project, Romanian Network for New Energy Solutions – RONNES, was funded and implemented, aiming to use Norwegian experience in hydrogen energy to stimulate Romanian society to embark on a coherent and coordinated effort to promote green energy. This was achieved by engaging the public, including university and high school students, in an awareness campaign and by creating an environment for training in the field of New Energy Solutions, also mentioning the more scientifically dedicated activities of the CoDe-PEM Project.Through a strong collaborative partnership, our CoDe-PEM Project contributed to the strengthening of bilateral relations between the Romanian partner, Politehnica University Timisoara, and the Norwegian partner, SINTEF AS. It was a multidisciplinary project involving researchers with complementary backgrounds in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, and Engineering, all working together toward the goal of identifying affordable combinations of substrate-coating for the fabrication of bipolar plates for PEM electrolyzers.