PhD Studentship: Development of Novel ionic conducting materials for next generation electroche[...] in Exeter

Fuel cells and water electrolysers are key technologies for the transition to a low-carbon energy system, enabling the efficient conversion between chemical and electrical energy and supporting the large-scale deployment of hydrogen. Central to the performance of these systems is the ion-conducting membrane, which governs ionic transport, efficiency, durability, and operating conditions.

Currently, perfluorosulfonic acid polymer membranes, such as Nafion, dominate commercial devices. Despite their success, these membranes suffer from several intrinsic limitations, including high material cost, reliance on fluorinated polymers, limited thermal stability, and performance degradation under low humidity or elevated temperature conditions. These challenges restrict system efficiency, durability, and long-term sustainability.

This PhD project aims to develop new ionic conducting materials as next-generation membrane alternatives for fuel cell and electrolyser applications. Ceramic ion conductors present a promising pathway to overcome the limitations of polymer-based membranes, offering superior thermal and chemical stability, enhanced mechanical robustness, and the potential for operation across wider temperature and humidity ranges.

By exploiting advances in materials design, it is possible to tailor ionic transport properties while maintaining structural integrity under demanding electrochemical environments. The project will focus on the design, synthesis, and optimisation of novel materials capable of efficient proton or oxygen-ion conduction, depending on the targeted device architecture. Candidate materials may include doped oxides or composites engineered to enhance ionic mobility while suppressing electronic conductivity.

A key objective will be to understand the relationships between chemical composition, structure, defect chemistry, and ionic transport behaviour. Comprehensive materials characterisation will be undertaken using structural, thermal, and electrochemical techniques, including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. These studies will provide insight into conduction mechanisms, stability, and degradation pathways under relevant operating conditions.

The project will also investigate the processing of dense, thin membranes and their integration into fuel cell and electrolyser assemblies. Beyond fundamental materials development, the PhD will assess electrochemical performance at the device level, evaluating efficiency, durability, and long-term stability compared with conventional Nafion-based systems. The scalability and manufacturability of the proposed membranes will also be considered, ensuring relevance to future industrial deployment.

This research is inherently interdisciplinary, combining elements of materials science, solid-state chemistry, electrochemistry, and energy engineering. The successful candidate will gain advanced experimental skills, experience in state-of-the-art characterisation and electrochemical testing, and the opportunity to contribute to technologies directly supporting the global hydrogen economy. The outcomes of this project are expected to advance the fundamental understanding of ionic conductors and support the development of more efficient, durable, and sustainable fuel cells and electrolysers.