Projects

The Laboratory of Electrochemistry (LEC) aims to advance the scientific and technological understanding of electrochemical energy conversion, with a focus on sustainable energy.

The LEC directs its efforts to the hydrogen- and CO2 - electrochemistry domains. In the field of hydrogen electrochemistry, we develop materials and components for advanced, low-temperature technologies using either acidic (PEWE) or alkaline (AMWE) membranes. Our work on hydrogen fuel cells focuses on low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEFC) for converting hydrogen into electricity.

We also work on electrochemical CO2 reduction and the electrochemistry of Nitrogen-containing compounds. Our research is supported by advanced characterization methods, developed in collaboration with major research facilities at PSI, including the Swiss Light Source (SLS) for X-ray-based spectroscopy, scattering, and imaging, and the Swiss Spallation Neutron Source (SINQ), especially for imaging techniques.

Project DescriptionDurationContact
AntioxAEMDeciphering and Mitigation of Radical Induced
Damage in Alkaline Anion Conducting Ionomers for Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers

Swiss National Science Foundation		2023-2027Lorenz Gubler
HCmemHydrocarbon Fuel Cell Proton Exchange Membranes (PEMs):  Chemical Durability and Testing Protocols

Johnson Matthey (UK)		2023-2027Lorenz Gubler
ELYMEMNew materials for electrolysis cells and next generation electrochemical water splitting devices
(collaboration with the group Chemical Processes and Materials - CPM at PSI)

Swiss Federal Office of Energy		2025-2028Lorenz Gubler
IndustryProjects funded by industrial partners, subject to confidentiality Lorenz Gubler
lec_highlight_february_2025

Confining surface oxygen redox in double perovskites for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction activity

Nickel-based double perovskites AA’BB’O6 are an underexplored class of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts. In particular, BaSrNiWO6 exhibits high oxygen evolution activity, attributed to the evolution of a highly OER active surface phase. The redox transformation of Ni2+(3d8) to Ni3+(3d7) combined with partial W dissolution into the electrolyte drives an in-situ reconstruction of the surface to an amorphized, NiO-like layer, promoting oxygen redox in the OER mechanism.

LEC Highlight December 2024

Decentralized hydrogen-based stationary energy storage systems complemented by smart control can provide increased operational flexibility in the energy system

While the electrification of the energy system implies a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions greatly beneficial to society, it can also pose technical challenges. The most notable among these are that the capacity of the local electric grid may be exceeded, along with the occurrence of imbalances between decentralized renewable energy production and final consumption. Hydrogen-based energy storage systems (HESS) are regarded as promising solutions to address these challenges. However, the feasibility has not been demonstrated and the involved processes are not well characterized on a technical relevant power level, so far. 

LEC November 2024 Highlight

Understanding the Interplay between Artificial SEI and Electrolyte Additives in Enhancing Silicon Electrode Performance for Li-Ion Batteries

Maintaining a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is crucial for Li-ion battery safety, especially with high-capacity anode containing silicon. Therefore, our study explored long-term cycling of Si electrodes with artificial alucone-based SEI, deposited by molecular layer deposition (MLD) in combination with a fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) electrolyte additive. MLD of flexible Li-ion permeable artificial SEI coatings onto electrode resulted in improved capacity, enhanced Si electrode cycle life and capacity retention.