Novel silicides for fuel cells and electrolysers

A new generation of energy technologies including fuel cells and electrolyzers are emerging, but are being held back by materials inadequacies, especially with respect to temperature, corrosion, strength and chemical activity. Considerable effort still ha s to be made to develop new and better materials including structural materials and composites. One class of materials that posses very attractive properties are the alloys of silicon – “the silicides”. These are metals that are alloyed with silicon and provide unique properties unobtainable from pure metal alloys alone. One particular system that has recently been developed by Elkem is based on titanium. They have shown that Si alloyed with Ti and other metal components posses very desirable properties which enable them to be used in a variety of applications including fuel cells and other energy related products. It is the purpose of this proposal to determine the fundamental physical chemical and mechanical properties of silicides based on Ti, Si a nd other alloy compositions to provide a knowledge base which can underpin the development of the applications. At this stage very little is known about the high temperature properties of these materials for example the oxidation resistance, electrical co nductivity, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties such as tensile strength, creep resistance, ductility etc. The proposal brings together the expertise and competence of Elkem Research in Kristiansand, Cenergie Coporation in Ireland and Agder University College in Grimstad. Elkem Research is the project owner.and will act as the project manager. Cenergie is a fuel cell manufacturer with an interest in the application of the new alloys. Agder University College is the academic partner anand wil l provide expertise in both electrochemistry and in mechanical testing. In addition the University of Oslo will provide both academic and analytical support.