Chemistry of (nano-)materials for energy

The UMR (Joint Research Unit ) NIMBE explores and develops nanostructured materials for new energy technologies (NET):

Batteries

Li-ion battery electrodes, such as silicon nanoparticles coated with a carbon shell (NIMBE’s LEDNA team)
Post-Li-ion battery generations (Mg-ion, Li-air, etc.) (NIMBE’s LEEL team)
Aligned carbon nanotube mats (NIMBE’s LEDNA team) and mesoporous carbon materials (NIMBE’s LICSEN team) for supercapacitor electrodes

Organic or hybrid photovoltaic (PV) devices:

Perovskite PV cells (LICSEN lab @ NIMBE)
Doped or not silicon nanoparticles included in various matrices (LEDNA lab @ NIMBE)
Molecules for interface layers in organic PV cells
Functionalized carbon nanotubes by chromophores
Nitrogen doped TiO₂ oxide for dye PV cells (LEDNA lab @ NIMBE)

Hydrogen energy

A specific method for nanostructuring polymers, based on irradiation (by UV or heavy ions), allows to obtain radio-grafted polymers membranes for low temperature fuel cells, as an alternative to nafion, the reference polymer.
An important part of the activity of IRAMIS covers the development of catalysts for the reduction of oxygen or oxidation of hydrogen that are required in fuel cells. Platinum is the reference element in catalytic efficiency, but it is rare and expensive. The objective is to reduce the amount of platinum in the catalyst (LEDNA lab @ NIMBE), and even replace it with alternative catalysts without noble metals (LICSEN lab @ NIMBE)), for example based on functionalized carbon nanotubes.

E-fuels (electro-fuels)

The LCMCE team perform research in catalysis to propose new processes for the production of “green” fuels, essential for long-distance transports, from CO₂ and hydrogen and by means of carbon-free electricity (from nuclear, solar or wind).

L’équipe du LCMCE poursuit des recherches en catalyse pour proposer de nouveaux procédés de production de carburants “verts”, indispensables au transport longue distance, à partir de CO₂ et d’hydrogéne et au moyen d’électricité décarbonée (d’origine nucléaire, solaire ou éolien).