Investigating Mass Transport Characteristics of Nanoporous Electrodes for Electrochemical Conversion Applications

Electrochemical conversion of renewable resources such as H₂O and CO₂ present a promising strategy for decarbonizing the chemical industry. To increase the viability of electrochemical devices, higher efficiencies and large current densities are required. Using electrodes with high surface area reduces the kinetic losses, but increasing the thickness of said electrodes increases transport losses. By having a higher surface area packed in a small volume the best of both worlds can be achieved with the added benefit of using less catalyst material. By venturing into nanoscale features and subsequently nanoscale pores nanoconfinement effects and surface effects are predicted to significantly affect mass transport. At imec a nanoporous electrode dubbed the nanomesh has been developed. This electrode has a well-defined geometry that can be tuned and made from different metals. Together with a new electrochemical method to measure effective diffusion coefficients in porous electrodes, this offers an ideal model system to quantify mass transport in nanoporous electrodes. The fundamental insights developed on this model system will then allow for the optimization of nanoporous electrodes for a given application.

In this master thesis project, your focus will be on fabricating different nanomesh geometries from different metals. Characterizing them using a variety of techniques and electrochemically tested in different electrolytes to assess effective diffusion coefficients of species in these porous electrodes. You will obtain hands on experience regarding electroplating, electrochemical characterization, and SEM. Numerical simulation and modelling of the studied system will be a possibility if you want to obtain more fundamental insights in the system. This project will be performed at the Electrochemical Storage and Conversion team where you get to improve your scientific communication and research skills together with a vibrant group of researchers. If you have any questions regarding the topic do not hesitate to contact me: noah.rondou@imec.be.