PLANET
Novel Cold Plasma-Induced Inorganic Network Formation in Nanohybrid Polymer Electrolytes for Water Splitting
Start Date: 01/07/2021,     End Date: 30/06/2023

PlaNet aims at developing a reinforced nanostructured organic/inorganic hybrid polymer electrolyte that will be the key core component of the electrolysis cell.

The successful implementation of PlaNet demands the development and optimization of novel materials and the integration and combination of several methodologies and physicochemical and electrochemical methods, as well as engineering aspects and technical substantiation. The technical goals of the project are:
I. Development of a hybrid polymer/inorganic electrolyte membrane based on perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers (Nafion type) and self-assembled nanoadditives, significantly thinner and mechanically reinforced due to the formation of the inorganic network, highly efficient and stable. The new materials must: → Eliminate polymer deterioration due to anodic electrocatalytic oxidation and → Provide low specific resistance of the electrolyte and minimal gas crossover.
II. Optimization of both cold plasma reactor configuration and operational parameters ensuring the proper modification of the inorganic nanoadditive surface that will lead to the aforementioned network.
III. Compatible and efficient membrane/electrode assemblies using the optimized electrolytes and home-made electrocatalysts. Understanding the operational/ degradation processes through in-situ electrochemical characterization.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Chrissopoulou Kiriaki
Principal Researcher

Research Associates

Dr. Krasanakis Fanourios
PostDoctoral Fellow

Students

Ms. Kadianaki Aikaterini
M.Sc. student

Funding

FORTH SYNERGY GRANT