Professor Yan Yin - Design of Polymer Electrolytes for Green Hydrogen Energy Technologies

IAS Visiting Fellow Professor Yan Yin delivers a seminar on their research - Hydrogen energy is widely recognized as a key pillar for global carbon neutrality and sustainable energy transition. Polymer electrolytes play an important role in improving performance of ionic membrane-based fuel cells and water electrolyzers, which are key enablers for smooth conversion between green electricity and hydrogen. For both devices, ionic conductivity and stability are crucial for long-time operation with high efficiency. Polymer electrolytes, as either membranes or ionomers, serve as the conducting carriers for ion transportation. Microstructure of polymer electrolytes influences the ionic conductivity, stability and the evolution behavior for the catalyst layers where ionomer acts as binder to fabricate membrane electrode assembly (MEA). In this seminar, oriented ion exchange membranes, quaternary ammonium (QA) based or microporous polyelectrolytes as well as ionomers are introduced to elaborate the microstructure-property relationship under long time fuel cell or water electrolysis operations. MEAs with low precious catalysts and self-made polyelectrolytes for hydrogen devices will be discussed towards high performance. Ultimately, these advances aim to reduce system costs and enhance environmental sustainability, contributing to the global effort for clean energy and a low-carbon economy. For more information about the IAS, please visit - https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/ias