Novel Fuel-Cell Structures based on Electroactive Polymers

Fuel cell technology, which is foreseen to be crucial for a successful conversion away from a petroleum-based society, faces a number of well-known technological barriers. This project aims to radically deal with some of these issues by developing novel fuel-cell structures based on electroactive polymers for inexpensive, efficient and stable fuel-cells. The project will investigate and develop conjugated polymer based electro-catalysts for both the anode and cathode reactions to substitute currently used expensive and scarce metallic catalysts. Further, the project will integrate the new electrodes with new, nanometre thick, plasma-polymerised, ion-conducting membranes to further improve the device regarding efficiency and price.