Team 4
Team Members |
Faculty Advisor |
Catherine Cala |
Drew Cietek and Fiona Leek Sponsor Mott Corporation |
sponsored by
Electrochemical Coatings Development
The project focuses on improving porous transport layers (PTLs) used in electrolyzers, which split water into hydrogen and oxygen for clean energy purposes. PTLs play an important role in distributing water, gases, and electrical current throughout the system, directly affecting overall performance. Currently, these materials are often coated with expensive precious metals, which increases cost. To address this, the project investigated whether electrochemically deposited titanium hydride coatings can serve as a viable alternative. Porous titanium sheets were coated using electrochemical methods, with the goal of improving the electrical conductivity and surface properties of uncoated titanium without relying on costly materials. Different process conditions were tested to better understand how the coatings form and how they influence material behavior. The project evaluates whether titanium hydride coatings can be successfully formed and function as an alternative to traditional precious metal coatings, based on their performance and material characteristics.