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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R20991/01
Title: Application of Catalysed Ion Exchange Membranes
Principal Investigator: Scott, Professor K
Other Investigators:
Roy, Professor S
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Chemical Engineering & Advanced Material
Organisation: Newcastle University
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 August 2001 Ends: 31 August 2002 Value (£): 31,149
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Electrochemical Science & Eng. Fuel Cell Technologies
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Energy No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Binary and ternary alloys based on Pt, (e.g. Pt/Ru} will be initially deposited onto solid polymer membranes by a range of techniques including chemical deposition and electrochemical deposition. Electrolytes, current/potential wave-forms will be controlled to deposit catalysts of desirable properties. Since it is well known that pulse current/potential forms can change grain size and structures of metals and the composition of alloys, current wave forms, to attain desired catalyst properties will be developed. The deposition procedures will be performed under well controlled hydrodynamic conditions. We aim to develop active materials with low catalyst loading <1 mg cm-2}. The research will investigate and optimise conditions for electrochemical and chemical deposition of catalyst and alloy catalysts and optimise conditions to produce MEAs based on this approach.The materials will be characterised electrochemically (by voltammetry and steady state polarisation} for methanol and ethanol oxidation, catalyst surface area and particle size. The surface area will be determined by measuring the saturated hydrogen coverage from cyclic voltammetry of hydrogen adsorption. Catalyst particle size and composition will be determined by TEM, SEM, AFM, EDAX and quartz crystal microbalance as appropriate. Membranes to be used will be produced (at Cranfield and Surrey Universities} principally by the radiation grafting technique. The research will examine cell polarisation characteristics over a range of operating parameters; methanol concentration, temperature and air flow rate and pressure. Simultaneously anode and cathode polarisation and electrical resistance will be measured.
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Organisation Website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk