Comprehensive utilisation of hydrogen gas for the efficient use of proton exchange membrane fuel cell powered vehicles

Latham-Wheawall, Laura

Abstract

The need for clean energy is not being met and is increasing each day. One immensely underused technology – proton exchange membrane fuel cells, can drastically help to deliver green energy and prevent the worsening of climate change. However, in order to do so, some issues surrounding the efficiency and safety of the energy production method must be addressed.

Firstly, this work tackles the issue of contaminants in hydrogen feedstocks. Blue hydrogen gas formed via steam methane reformation also contains the impurities found within the methane precursor. Unfortunately, the ultra-low concentration gas standards used to calibrate instruments which measure the purity of the feedstocks interact with the storage cylinders in which they’re kept, leading to inaccurate results. By producing a new, multistep method of passivation constituting 3 stages, we’re able to demonstrate reduced surface contact angles and attraction of both polar and non-polar compounds to surfaces typically used to house these trace element gases. These stages of passivation consist of a comprehensive, high quality electropolishing of the surface, followed by a coating of silicon dioxide applied through chemical vapour deposition, which is further functionalised through the annealing of perfluorinated triethoxysilanes.

Secondly, the issue of hydrogen storage for vehicles is addressed. Proton exchange membrane fuel cell powered vehicles require a high-density store of hydrogen to provide sufficient travel ranges. Until now this has been accomplished through the use of pressurised hydrogen, a potentially catastrophic solution should a road collision occur. To rectify this, we sought to utilise the heterolytic capabilities of FLPs. By boron-doping PAHs with varying levels of electron withdrawing character, this thesis reports the importance of the inclusion of fluorinated species in the synthesis of materials which can heterolytically split hydrogen. The work also reports the first attempts to fully enclose boron using non-substituted anthryl ligands via a photocyclodehydrogenative method.

Citation

Latham-Wheawall, L. (2024). Comprehensive utilisation of hydrogen gas for the efficient use of proton exchange membrane fuel cell powered vehicles. (Thesis). Keele University. Retrieved from https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/775441

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Mar 14, 2024
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/775441
• Additional Information: Embargo on access until 28 January 2026 - Release of the material would prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person.
• Award Date: 2024-03