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University of Chemistry and Technology Prague

Introduction

University of Chemistry and Technology Prague (UCTP), is a public university providing education and pursuing scientific, research, development and implementation activities. It is a member of the family of 28 public and state universities in the Czech Republic, a member of EUA, FEANI and IGIP. The UCTP is known for both the depth and broadness of its educational and research activities in almost all branches of chemistry, chemical engineering, food chemistry and technology, biochemistry, refining, water-treatment, power and biological sciences and technologies, as well as environment protection, materials sciences and other chemistry-based fields of study. The UCTP was founded in 1952, but its roots date back to 1807 when the first course in chemistry was delivered at the Royal Czech Polytechnic Institute in Prague.

Since the middle of 20th century, technical electrochemistry represents an important field of research at UCTP. It was oriented originally exclusively on the industrial electrochemistry problematic (mainly related to the chlorine industry). During the last two decades, its attention has gradually turned to the hydrogen economy related research. It focuses mainly on the issues related to the low and medium temperature PEM type fuel cells and water electrolysis. High temperature solid oxide cells, however, are studied to a certain extent as well. The interest of the UCTP research group includes cell components development and testing, as well as the study, development and optimisation of the system. Strong point represents combination of the experimental characterisation techniques with an advanced mathematical modelling. Long-term interest in the problems related to the hydrogen economy is also expressed by the fact that since 2009 UCTP is a member of FCH JU Research Grouping.

Main activities on fuel cells, electrolysers and hydrogen

Main competences and lines of research

  1. Alkaline water electrolysis
    • non platinum metal based catalyst development and characterization
    • anion selective membranes and binders testing
    • MEA development and optimisation (CCM and CCE)
    • zero-gap type stack development
    • mathematical modelling of the flow and current density distribution
  2. PEM water electrolysis
    • catalyst synthesis and characterization
    • membranes characterisation
    • MEA development and optimisation (CCM and CCE)
    • anode porous transport layer optimisation
    • performance and durability characterization of laboratory cell up to 100 cm2
    • CFD modelling
  3. PEM fuel cell (low temperature and high temperature)
    • MEA/GDE preparation
    • degradation phenomena with a special focus on catalyst degradation mechanism and kinetics
    • BPP characterization
    • stack development
    • mathematical modelling of Pt nanoparticle degradation, flow field design and PEM FC modelling
  4. SOFC/SOEC
    • button cell manufacturing
    • materials characterization
    • reaction mechanism study
    • mathematical modelling from electrode/electrolyte interface to the entire cell

Relevant national/European projects ongoing or concluded

International

  • Global Research Laboratory agreement with the Korean Institute for Science and Technology (KIST) 2012-2018

European:

  • Apollon: FP5-EESD Grant ENK5-CT-2001-00572
  • Apollon-B: FP6-NMP Grant 33228
  • Demmea: FP7-JTI Grant 245156
  • WELTEMP: FP7-ENERGY Grant 212903
  • DemStack: FCH-JU Grant 325368
  • CISTEM: FCH-JU Grant 778354
  • SElySOs: FCH-JU Grant 671481
  • TeacHy: FCH-JU Grant 779730
  • NEWELY: FCH-JU Grant 875118
  • NEXTAEC: HORIZON2020 Grant 862509

National:

  • Project funded by Czech Technological Agency:
    • APU unit based on PEMFC
    • Small hydrogen powered vehicle and fuelling station
  • Project funded by Czech Science Foundation:
    • Degradation phenomenon in HT-PEMFC
    • Mathematical modelling of reaction mechanism in high temperature systems
    • New materials for PEMWE
    • Project funded by European Structural and Investment Funds

  • Fuel Cells with Low Platinum Content

Research infrastructures

  • 3 test benches for laboratory PEMFC testing
  • 1 commercial test bench for PEMFC stack up to 1kW
  • 1 test bench for PEM water electrolysis
  • 4 test bench for alkaline water electrolysis
  • 1 test bench for alkaline water electrolysis stack up to 1kW
  • 2 test benches for high-temperature button cells (1-3 cm2)
  • Potentiostats/galvanostats
  • Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
  • SEM-EDX
  • HR- TEM
  • XRD
  • XPS
  • Mercury porosimetry
  • BET
  • Scanning electrochemical microscopy