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Fuel cells will play a key role in reducing CO2 emission in the aviation sector by converting the chemical energy of hydrogen into electrical energy to power the aircraft. Current fuel cells are limited in theirmaximum temperature, which leads to cooling systems too heavy for future aircraft. This project aims at developing electrodes for fuel cells based on novel polymers, that allow higher temperatures and thus smaller radiator and system weight.

For the transformation to a CO₂-neutral society, large amounts of green hydrogen are needed, e.g. for fuel cells, emission-free steel or power-to-X applications (fertilizers, …). Besides the electricity price, the investment costs and the lifetime of the electrolysers are significantly responsible for the hydrogen production costs. Due to the large cost reduction potential, alkaline electrolysis with a „anion exchange membrane“ (AEM) is a highly attractive technology. It promises to combine the advantages of the established alkaline and acidic membrane-based electrolysis, i.e. low-cost materials with high current densities and high efficiency.

The junior research group „Electrochemical Energy Systems“ works on fuel cells, batteries and electrolyzers. The group is dedicated to integrating latest material developments into state-of-the-art electrochemical energy systems.

To date, the most widespread water-splitting technology is the proton-exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis due to its efficiency, long-term stability and operation at high current densities. While PEM electrolyzers are commercially available, their costs are still high due to the acidic environment, fluorine-based membranes and noble metal catalysts. Therefore anion-exchange membrane (AEM) based electrolyzers have attracted attention, since they combine the advantageous properties of PEMWEs with the promise of significant cost reduction.

For this purpose, we are looking for a motivated student to help develop membranes/electrodes for AEM electrolysis. You will be working in close collaboration with our PhD-students, post-docs and engineers, mostly in the laboratory measuring and analyzing fabricated devices using X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry.