E u r o S c i C o n C o n f e r e n c e o n
Chemistry
2018
Chemistry 2018
Journal of Organic & Inorganic Chemistry
ISSN 2472-1123
F e b r u a r y 1 9 - 2 0 , 2 0 1 8
P a r i s , F r a n c e
Page 20
T
o overcome the degradation of component materials over time, that are
still hindering the widespread adoption of Proton Exchange Membrane
Fuel Cells (PEMFC), novel materials and original methods of elaboration are
needed. Our approach is based on the use of nanofibres and their multiscale
assembly to produce innovative energy materials with specific architectures
and interfaces, and improved properties. Such materials are prepared with
the versatile, cost-effective and up-scalable electrospinning technique. The
nanometre size and the 1D morphology of the fibres and the porous structure
of the obtained web are expected to bring associated advanced properties,
in particular with regard to directional and mechanical properties and mass
transport, with beneficial effects on the performance and lifetime of the
resulting membrane-electrode assemblies. Due to its inherent adaptability and
applicability, electrospinning can be applied to all stages of the preparation
of PEMFC core materials, from electrolyte membranes to electrodes. On
the one hand, we are developing composite ionomer membranes based
on electrospun webs of inorganic materials and polymers, as well as their
chemical functionalization, which demonstrated to reinforce the membranes
while keeping high proton conductivity; on the other hand, we are preparing
nanofibrous electrocatalyst supports including carbon, metal, metal carbide,
oxide nanofibres and nanotubes with extended durability and high electrical
conductivity. In parallel, we are developing Pt deposition techniques leading
to extended metal surfaces onto the electrospun materials, including Ni and
Cu galvanostatic displacement, self-terminated Pt electrodeposition and
electrochemical atomic layer deposition. These novel morphologies will enable
higher platinum exploitation and increased stability. The assembly of these
materials will allow the development of a new generation of PEMFC materials
in which the components are fabricated entirely by electrospinning and with
the possibility of scale-up at industrial level.
Biography
Sara Cavaliere is Lecturer at the University of Montpellier, In-
stitut Charles Gerhardt for Molecular Chemistry and Materials
since 2009. She received her PhD in Chemistry and Materials
Science in 2006 in Versailles, France, after graduating from Uni-
versity of Milan, Italy. She worked as Postdoctoral Fellow at the
University of Freiburg, Germany, and Lyon, France. Her research
interests focus on design, synthesis and characterisation of
nanostructured and nanofibrous materials for proton exchange
membrane fuel cells and water electrolysers. In 2017 she was
awarded the CNRS Bronze Medal and joined the Institut Univer-
sitaire de France as a Junior Member.
sara.cavaliere@umontpellier.frNanostructured and nanocomposite materials for energy
conversion
Sara Cavaliere
Université de Montpellier, France
Sara Cavaliere, J Org Inorg Chem 2018, Volume: 4
DOI: 10.21767/2472-1123-C1-002