Near-field electrospinning

The PhD project will develop a novel near-field electrospinning method for preparing 3D structured nanofiber electrodes. The method can be used for production of several types of electrodes for electrolysis, fuel cells, battery, flow batteries or super capacitors. Advanced 3D structured electrodes can improve conductivity and increase the electrode surface area resulting in enhanced reaction activity. The development is an important measure to improve the capacity and performance of energy storage devices and reduce the need for critical raw materials. The project will focus on electrodes for electrolysis and the challenging oxygen evolution reaction, where today solutions require significant use of the critical raw material iridium as catalyst. Development of the electrospinning method is planned with qualitative research where a new electrospinning method is developed and tested with computational fluid- and electromagnetic simulation. Subsequently, quantitative research starts with preparing a new improved 3d electrode with an electrospinning machine prototype. Different colloid catalyst solutions will be selected and electrospun as electrodes, thereafter the best candidates will be tested in a one cell electrolysis test and rotating disk electrode. The electrospinning method objective is to control porosity and fiber thickness for increased surface area, reduced contact resistance, improved mass transportation and improved conductivity. The planned primary outcome is electrolysis and fuel cells with improved efficiency and durability, in addition there will be reduced need for critical raw materials. A secondary outcome is an electrospinning method that can be further developed for other types of improved energy storage electrodes

Improvement of the electrochemical performance and reducing the need for critical raw materials of electrolyser and fuel cell electrodes are important steps to enable economically favorable and sustainable hydrogen value chains. One method for the improvement of electrodes is 3d structured layers prepared with the use of electrospinning. In the Ph.d project, the candidate will look into how to prepare 3D structured electrodes with nano/micro fibers for improved electrochemical performance with a new novel near-field electrospinning method. The outcome is improved electrodes with increased electrolysis and fuel cell efficiency.