Responsible and contact person: Diogo Santos, ext 1765
Description:
The Laboratory supports the research activities in the synthesis and testing of materials for electrochemical energy conversion and storage.
The objectives are:
– Development of novel materials and technologies for application to environmentally friendly energy conversion and storage processes with industrial significance
– Development of materials for low temperature fuel cells, namely metal-based nanosized catalysts for borohydride electrooxidation, three dimensional cathodes for O2/H2O2 reduction, small-scale direct borohydride fuel cells, and alcohol-fuelled proton exchange membrane fuel cells
– Development of materials for water electrolysis, namely, functional cathodes for H2 production, and development of novel alkaline electrolysers
– Environmental oriented electrochemistry, namely development of disposable rechargeable Zn/MnO2 printable batteries on paper and their integration with printed paper based organic solar cells, mediated electrochemical oxidation of pollutants and carbon dioxide mitigation.
Ongoing research:
– Functional materials for electrolytic hydrogen production (FCT project: PTDC/SEN-ENR/121265/2010)
– Low cost electrocatalysts for direct borohydride fuel cells (FCT Post-doctoral research grant, Diogo Santos)
– Novel cathode materials for direct borohydride fuel cells (FCT Post-doctoral research grant, Biljana Sljukic).
– Electrolytic hydrogen evolution in alkaline media using RTILs and Schiff bases (FCT Post-doctoral research grant, Luís Amaral)
Fuel cell testing facility
This fuel cell testing facility enables the monitoring of fuel cells. Equipment specifically designed to ensure the control and optimization of the key-parameters relative to the characterization of ion-exchange membranes and electrode/membrane interfaces.
PAR 273 Potentiostat/galvanostat coupled with frequency analyser
The potentiostat available in our facilities enables using most conventional methods for electrochemical analysis using a three-electrode cell. Key-parameters related to novel electrocatalysts and technologies for fuel cells and electrolytic hydrogen production may be assessed with this equipment.
Rotating ring-disc electrode controlled with bipotentiostat
This equipment is capable of controlling two working electrodes simultaneously. This capability enables the assessment of intermediate species in very fast electrochemical processes.
Planetary Ball Mill
This equipment is a valuable tool for classical powder mixing and size reduction processes, and for mechanosynthesis.
Further information at http://meg.ist.utl.pt/
Location: IST-Alameda, Pavilhão de Minas, floor 4
Access conditions: Within collaborative research work. Contact the scientific researcher in charge.
Fuel cell testing facility.
PAR 273 potentiostat/galvanostat coupled with frequency analyser for EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) studies.
Planetary ball mill.