FUELSEA

The FuelSea project seeks to revolutionize the nature of electrode coatings for the production of energy (H2) or chlorinated disinfectants. Currently used raw materials are critical and it is essential to reduce their quantity and use more abundant metals.

The FuelSea technology has enabled the implementation of a manufacturing process for composite materials for the coating of electrodes. This bio-inspired coating contains sub-nanometer sized metal particles with active surfaces enabling higher mass activity than existing technologies. Moreover, this technology allows us to diversify the nature of catalysts by using abundant transition metals.

Decrease in the amount of metals deposited (< 10 µg/cm2) on an electrode while maintaining electrocatalytic activity:

• Strategic resources (economic and geopolitical tensions)

• Reduction of the environmental footprint

Stabilization and protection of catalysts against physical and chemical degradation:

• Reduction of aggregation and release of catalyst particles

• Durability of electrodes

Electrodes available in the laboratory:

• Mass activity: 5.1 A/mg for water oxidation (pH 9.2; 0.71 V overvoltage)

• Control of the proportions of the different metals in the alloys

• Durability validated over 360 hours of operation (no loss of activity)

• Coating deposited on electrodes from 0.071 to 10 cm²

Under construction:

• Electrolyzer prototype

• Characterization and long-term stability

• Electrochlorination for the disinfection of swimming pool water

• Production of decarbonated hydrogen by electrolysis of (sea) water

• Production of chlorine by chlor-alkali process