The research group Applied Electrochemistry and Catalysis (ELCAT) is active in the field of electrochemical engineering and more specifically in the domain power-to-X-to-power. The core research activities within ELCAT are related to the development of state-of-the art electrochemical reactors and catalysts, with a view towards large-scale industrial development in the field of industrial electrification, in a green and sustainable way to ultimately replace the traditional chemical processes. Their research can be subdivided in three main topics, which are interrelated: (i) electrosynthesis (ii) electrochemical reactor engineering, and (iii) electrocatalysis. ELCAT’s main focus is thus to develop, validate or scale up original conversion technologies that either produce chemicals (e.g. H₂, CO, C₂H₄, etc.) utilizing emission-free electricity and renewable feedstock (power-to-X) or produce renewable electricity starting from a circular feedstock (X-to-power).From our research topics, two major aspects of our identity as a group clearly come to the surface: (i) industrial application and (ii) sustainable chemistry. It is our hope that by working on the different levels from the (electro)catalyst (fundamental research) to the actual reactor (applied research), in the future industrial processes can be adapted to the environmentally more friendly electrochemical approach, rather than by the conventional chemical processes. An important driving force herein, is the extended engineering infrastructure, which ELCAT has in its possession, and can exploit to fabricate and up-scale their own electrolyzers from scratch.

In-depth understanding of multiphase mass transfer in CO2 electrolyzers through application of engineered, ordered reactor components (TRANSCEND)

April 2024 – March 2029

To avoid catastrophic climate change, European countries are bound by the European Climate Law to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to become climate-neutral by 2050. To meet this necessary but steep target, radical progress in the technology for carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is needed. Electrochemical reduction of CO₂​ (eCO2R) is key to aid in the reduction of carbon levels and the production of sustainable chemicals and fuels. Current electrochemical reactor systems suffer from low efficiency and mass transport inhibitions due to the low CO2 solubility in aqueous electrolytes. By using gaseous CO2, zero gap electrolyzers overcome the low solubility issue. However, the productivity and product purity obtained with current zero gap cells are still a far way off from the industrially required levels. We believe that the main blame for this lies with the components used to facilitate the mass transport of the CO2 gas and liquid water to the catalyst on the one hand, and the removal of products and solid carbonate salts, out of the cell on the other hand, as they are still based on materials used in hydrogen fuel cells. The use of unsuitable materials affects the overall efficiency negatively.In TRANSCEND, I propose a disruptive approach to the CO2 electrolyzer. I will apply a radically new bottom-up design to arrive at an integrated structure of all components responsible for multiphase transport. Three work packages are designed to develop an in-depth understanding of the mass transport and functionality of each of the different reactor components whilst in parallel building up the integrated electrolyzer. The envisaged high control over the mass transport and reaction environment will lead to high efficiency and durability. If successful TRANSCEND will contribute greatly to the fundamental understanding of the requirements and operation of eCO2R reactors and lay the foundation for the next generation and industrial application of this technology.

Redox flow batteries charging tomorrow's world through the in-depth understanding and enhanched control over battery hydrodynamics (RECHARGE)

January 2024 – December 2028

Electrochemical energy storage is essential if we wish to increase the usage of intermittent energy sources such as windmills and solar panels. With intermittent energy sources it is crucial that energy can be stored to meet demand when production is too low. When targeting stationary storage with large capacity and long storage times, redox flow batteries stand out. However, in order to compete with other energy storage technologies several fundamental challenges remain to be resolved. Mass transport limitations, cell resistivities, pressure losses and slow kinetics still pose major barriers that result in unsatisfactory energy efficiencies and power densities.In RECHARGE, I propose an innovative and disruptive approach. By combining for the first time pulsatile flow with precisely structured 3D electrodes the battery’s performance can be accurately steered towards improved battery hydrodynamics, allowing to surpass state-of-the-art in terms of maximum attainable power density, diminished efficiency losses and enhanced energy capacity. The combination of targeting an in-depth understanding into how reagent, product and electrolyte transport is governed within the redox flow battery by using in operando characterisation and having perfect control over the electrode geometry and flow field design through advanced engineering approaches, will result in unprecedented control over the mass transport and reaction environment. This will yield a significantly improved redox flow battery with a power density of 1000 mW/cm² and a roundtrip efficiency above 85%.RECHARGE will demonstrate the impact of achieving perfect control over the hydrodynamic and electrochemical characteristics of a redox flow battery and can thus be considered as the first step towards a new generation of redox flow batteries that will completely redesign the electrode structure and fluid control strategies towards strongly improved battery efficiencies.