Summary
- Profile Type
- Research & Development Request
- POD Reference
- RDRTR20240530010
- Term of Validity
- 30 May 2024 - 30 May 2025
- Company's Country
- Turkey
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- The company is actively seeking collaborations within the scope of an R&D agreement on the development and testing of polymer nanocomposites as GDL, which will be an alternative to carbon-based fabrics, for use in the energy sector, especially fuel cells. The project will enable the development of a conductive fabric that will provide the same performance features as an alternative to carbon fabric due to the fabric supply problems.
- Full Description
- In fuel cells, the gas distribution layer (GDL) is a layer located between the anode and cathode electrodes and allows gases (hydrogen and oxygen) to reach the electrodes. GDL ensures that gases are distributed homogeneously and electrochemical reactions occur at the electrodes. At the same time, GDL helps disperse water and allows the cell to cool. Therefore, GDL is an important component of the PEM fuel cell and a factor that affects the performance of the fuel cell. The currently used GDL consists of macro and microporous layers. It is obtained by using macroporous layered carbon paper or carbon fabric. The use of high temperatures such as 1700-2400℃ during the carbonization stage in the production of carbon paper and fabric will negatively affect the GDL market in the future. Polymer nanocomposites can be obtained by adding nano-sized additives to the polymer matrix, providing structures that provide stronger thermal and mechanical resistance. With this project proposal, a polymer nanocomposite with performance properties equivalent to carbon fabric will be synthesized. The type of polymer and nano additive will be determined to ensure the desired properties. Appropriate process selection will be made for processing the nanocomposite. The morphological properties of the resulting nanocomposite will be examined and it is aimed to obtain a homogeneously distributed structure. Using the resulting nanocomposite, woven and non-woven layers will be obtained for use in fuel cells. After determining the suitability of the fabric whose performance properties will be examined, the micropore layer (MPL) coating paste created by Oba Perdesan will be coated on the resulting fabric. The performance properties of the MPL coated nanocomposite fabric will be tested in a fuel cell in a laboratory environment and analyzed.
- Advantages and Innovations
-
The main gas diffusion base material is polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Since the cost of PAN is higher (compared to other natural fibers such as cotton or bamboo fibre), the demand is expected to decrease to some extent.
However, some factors such as the high cost of gas diffusion layer technology and post-carbonization processing and high graphitization temperatures of raw materials (~1700°C) to achieve increased conductivity may hinder the growth of the market.
With this project, an alternative layer with high performance features will be created without requiring high energy costs.
With polymer nanocomposite layer;
Lower energy usage
Alternative to carbon fabric,
Strong mechanical properties
Alternative component in the fuel cell market - Stage of Development
- Under development
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- IPR description
-
I) Partner for Polymer Nanocomposite Synthesis
- Determination and supply of polymer type (trials can be made by purchasing alternative polymers).
- Determination of nanocomposite type; it will provide the carbon fabric properties used in the fuel cell (rGO, carbon nanotube, etc.).
- Determining the preparation method to obtain a homogeneous mixture (melt extrusion, solution dispersion, etc.).
II) Partner for Fabric Performance Investigation
- Determination of fabric performance properties and comparison of the surface with carbon fabric.
III) Nanocomposite Layer Preparation
- Turning nanocomposite into fabric (such as woven fabrics, non-woven fabric).
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
-
I) Partner for Polymer Nanocomposite Synthesis
- Determination and supply of polymer type (trials can be made by purchasing alternative polymers).
- Determination of nanocomposite type; it will provide the carbon fabric properties used in the fuel cell (rGO, carbon nanotube, etc.).
- Determining the preparation method to obtain a homogeneous mixture (melt extrusion, solution dispersion, etc.).
II) Partner for Fabric Performance Investigation
- Determination of fabric performance properties and comparison of the surface with carbon fabric.
III) Nanocomposite Layer Preparation
- Turning nanocomposite into fabric (such as woven fabrics, non-woven fabric). - Type and Size of Partner
- SME 50 - 249
- SME <=10
- SME 11-49
- University
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
Call details
- Framework program
- Eureka
- Call title and identifier
-
Eurostars call for projects SEP 2024
- Coordinator required
-
No
- Deadline for EoI
- Deadline of the call
- Eureka
Dissemination
- Market keywords
- 06007001 - Other energy production
- Targeted countries
- All countries