State-of-the-art Improvement

How we will do it

RO1 (WP2): Sustainable development of Non-PFSA Membranes (NPFSAMs)

 This comprises the development and use of membranes which do not contain fluorinated components, which can also be extended for polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) applications. WP2 will focus on the implementation of sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone)s- (SPAEKs); PEEK-(PolyEther Ether Ketone), PEES- (PolyEther Ether Sulfone) and PBI. They are adaptable to high-volume manufacturing with the advantages of high-performance PEMs. 

RO2 (WP3): Redox-active catholyte species with high potential and volumetric capacity

The use of non-toxic and sustainable organic redox-active species derived from biorefinery waste streams will reduce the utilisation of critical raw materials (e.g. vanadium). This allows a potential production in the EU with a low environmental impact and cost. WP3 will focus on the synthesis of sulfonated quinones, which serve as the catholyte in the H2/Q flow battery. The conversions will take place with a minimal environmental footprint by employing electrocatalytic design, avoiding both organic solvents and expensive catalysts. 

RO3 (WP4): Development of non-PGM catalysts for HER/HOR on the anode

Investigation of alternative electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution (HER) and oxidation (HOR) reaction, which can partially or fully replace Pt. The main work in WP4 is the design of efficient and low Pt or Pt-free Single Atom Catalysts.

RO4 (WP5): From lab-scale to 1 kW oRFC setup 

Proof of concept of an oRFC using non-PFSA membranes and sustainably sourced organic redox species, and the final scale-up to a 1 kW system. WP will focus its effort on the preparation and testing of a functional MEA, plus the scale-up

This research was funded by the CETPartnership, under the Joint Call 2023, and the project “HydrogEn oRganiC Regenerative FUeL CEll for Stationary Energy Storage (HERCULES)”. The CETPartnership’ s research projects are co-funded by the European Commission (Grant Agreement No. 101069750) and the national funding organizations listed on the CETPartnership website.