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Electrochemically induced deposition of protonic electrolytes for mid-temperature electrolyzers
PhD - Leuven | Just now
Explore the impact of imec’s technology solutions on tomorrow’s clean energy devices
The global transition to green energy is a huge opportunity for new technological developments. In this scenario the Power to Molecules effort searches for the efficient transformation of simple molecules into valuable chemicals using renewable electricity. This challenge demands a new generation of advanced electrolyzers, that we are already developing. Currently the two main options are the low-temperature electrolysis (LTE), comprising of alkaline (AWE) or proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, and high-temperature electrolysis presented by solid oxide electrolyzer cell technology (SOEC). While first two are commercial and limited in efficiency, SOEC has severe stability limitations. In between these extremes, mid temperature electrolyzers (MTE) lie as a third option that can benefit from the use of a wider range of materials than SOECs while offering better efficiency than the LTEs cells. However, MTEs will require novel electrodes that can efficiently operate in gaseous regime, offering a high number of active sites per volume unit while posing proper ionic coupling with the counter electrodes. This condition can be achieved creating a composite structure in which a preformed 3D porous electrode is decorated with a continuous layer of protonic electrolyte material. We propose to achieve this by electrochemically induced deposition, a powerful strategy that let grow inorganic materials in nanoconfinement regime, with proper textural and compositional control.
In this PhD project, you will design, develop and characterize new nanostructured composite electrodes employing wet chemistry combined with electrochemically induced deposition. These advanced electrodes will be further combined with the proper electrolytes in the form of integrated cells to drive actual electrolytic reactions. You will explore and rationalize the inherent selectivity and stability of these novel cells in realistic operando conditions, combining in situ spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques.
Required background: Chemistry, materials science and engineering, nanotechnology
Type of work: 80% experimental, 20% data and literature analysis
Supervisor: Philippe Vereecken
Daily advisor: Matias Jobbagy, Valentin Smeets
The reference code for this position is 2026-089. Mention this reference code on your application form.