Objectives: DC UK2 will identify and develop model electrocatalytic inks based on carbon black gels with simplified fillers to preserve key electrical properties. The rheology of these model inks will be characterized under simple shear to map out their state behavior, while cryo-FIB-SEM will be employed to connect rheological changes to the underlying microstructure (changes in the carbonblack network structure and filler dispersion). To translate results under simple shear into practical processing parameters, these model inks will alsobe subjected to non-rheometric flows (e.g. slot die extrusion/coating),again using cyro-FIB-SEM to identify microstructural changes in the extruded suspension and coated film. Secondments at ADV will test these model ink formulations using industrial processing tools and protocols, en abling fundamental understanding gained from work at UEDIN to be applied to practical processing problems.
Industrial secondment: ADV (18M/M4-M12 & M28-36) using model systems developed in industrial mixing/processing protocols.
Academic secondments: FORTH (2M/M18 - M20), LAOS and steady shear to compare with DC12 results using industrial catalytic inks
