Description du sujet de thèse

The project aims to develop a non-conventional proton exchange membrane fuel cell containing a redox flow cathode (chemically regenerative redox fuel cell CRRFC). Proton exchange membrane fuel cells is a promising candidate to decarbonate the mobility sector.
The objective of the project is to remove platinum at the cathode by a soluble redox mediator able to be reduced without noble catalyst at the cathode. The molecule will be reduced at the cathode then will be regenerated by dioxygen in another compartment (the regenerator). At the anode, dihydrogen is oxidised to protons.

One of the main goal is to improve the chemical regeneration of redox mediator based on 2 strategies. The first one consists in the improvement of the catholyte containing the redox mediator. The objective is to synthesise a new class of molecule including an electroactive part matching the criteria of the device.
The second strategy is to set-up a fuel cell stand and especially the regenerator. A specific work will be dedicated to chemically analyze the solution to determine the origin of the loss of activity.
The synthesized molecules will be tested in the fuel cell system and should improve performance and stability in comparison to state of the art works reported in literature.

Contexte de travail

The Charles Gerhardt Institute UMR 5253, is one of the four Institutes of the Montpellier Chemistry Pole. The Aggregates, Interfaces and Materials for Energy team brings together around 70 research/lecturer staff, PhD students, post-doc and CDD who develop their research activities on the topics of materials and their action mechanisms for energy by implementing skills in the chemistry and physico-chemistry of materials and interfaces, the chemistry of solid and materials. The activity of the recruited person will be carried out within the "Energy Conversion" group, in relation to the group's activities on proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The thesis is co-funded by Region Occitanie and Michelin

The candidate must have strong skills on electrochemistry, materials chemistry. He should have knowledge with electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices. Knowledge on organic synthesis is appreciated. He must hold a Master 2 or equivalent diploma.

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.