DIT PhD Project
Supervisor name & contact details:
Name: Dr Tony Betts
Email: anthony.betts@dit.ie
Supervisors Profile:
Research Centre:
The Applied Electrochemistry Group (AEG) in
DIT’s Focas
The Focas Research Institute addresses the
common needs of research activities in Science
and Engineering. It contributes strongly to the
development of self-sustaining research teams
in a number of strategic areas, such as Bio and
Nano technologies. Recent notable research
outputs include novel technologies for cervical
cancer screening and antibacterial surface
coatings. Its state of the art premises include
an unrivalled suite of instrumentation for
spectroscopic (UV to far IR) characterisation
and imaging (Raman, FTIR) and optical
(Confocal fluorescence), scanning probe (AFM,
conductive AFM) and electron microscopy
(SEM, WDX, EDX, variable pressure/cryo SEM,
TEM).
Research Centre website:
http://www.dit.ie/focas/research/appliedelectr
ochemistrygroup/
Supervisors Publication List:
http://arrow.dit.ie/do/search/?q=author_lnam
e%3A%22Betts%22%20AND%20author_fname
%3A%22Tony%22&sort=date_desc&fq=ancest
or_key:490738
http://arrow.dit.ie/do/search/?q=author_lnam
e%3A%22Cassidy%22%20AND%20author_fna
me%3A%22John%22&sort=date_desc&fq=ance
stor_key:490738
Title of the Project: Nano-Catalysts for Direct Alkaline Alcohol Fuel Cells:
Project Summary: With diminishing fossil fuel reserves the search for new catalysts for use in
alternative energy systems, such as Fuel Cells is becoming ever more important. The low
temperature Direct Alcohol Fuel Cell (DAFC) offers distinct advantages over conventional
hydrogen-based Fuel Cells as hydrogen is very difficult (and expensive) to compress, store and
transport. Hydrogen Fuel Cells also require very expensive platinum catalysts. The aim of this
project is to develop inexpensive alternative nano-catalysts for DAFCs, which can accelerate the
rate of oxidation of bio-fuels such as methanol and ethanol. Both fuels can be readily produced
from biomass or cellulosic wastes.
Recently DAFC performance has been markedly enhanced by using highly alkaline electrolytes in
the Direct Alkaline Alcohol (or Alkaline Direct Alcohol) Fuel Cell (DAAFC/ADAFC). These Fuel Cells
can employ catalysts which are entirely platinum-free or at least with significantly reduced levels
of platinum. Nano-sized catalysts provide huge surface areas for such catalytic reactions. The
facilities in Focas affords the opportunity to undertake the fabrication, characterisation and
performance assessment of new DAAFC catalysts. This is an opportunity to develop new
nanomaterials to provide electrical power for portable device and/or mobile (transport)
applications. Such a technology utilising sustainable biomass materials is of obvious potential
benefit to both Brazil and Ireland with their vibrant agricultural sectors.
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Nanotechnology and New Materials