Polymer Electrolyte-Based Electrochemical Devices: Advances, provides a complete overview of the theoretical and applied aspects of energy-related polymer electrolyte-based technologies. The book presents detailed thermodynamic and other basic requirements for smart materials like fuel cells, electrolyzers, batteries, sensors and devices for the abatement of pollutants. Delving into the physical-chemical, electrochemical, and mechanical properties of smart materials, it covers fundamental analysis and modeling to optimize the application of smart materials in terms of conductivity, chemical stability and kinetic properties. Detailed protocols for operation are suggested and discussed, including component development to optimize functionality, cost and upscaling.
By exploring examples of actual prototypes based on recent research findings, analyzing requirements and cost estimate for large-scale production and implementation, as well as for their integration into existing systems, the environmental impact of multiple electrochemical applications is also examined.
Lo Faro, Massimiliano: - Massimiliano Lo Faro is currently the leader of the SOFC research plan and activities at CNR-ITAE. He is particularly interested in the development of materials and components for Solid Oxide Electrochemical Cells (SOCs) that operate between 400 °C and 800 °C. In his research over the past two decades, he has demonstrated that i) fuel cells can generate power with high efficiency (SOFCs) using directly dry biofuels, ii) hydrogen or synthetic fuels can be generated by electrolyzing H2O or co-electrolyzing H2O and CO2 (SOECs), and iii) Fe-air batteries can be used to store electricity with excellent round-trip efficiency and at very low cost.
Over the course of his career, he has been a visiting scientist and lecturer abroad for short-medium periods. CNPq granted him a grant to spend two months per year at the University of Sao Paulo as a "Special Visiting Researcher" for four years (processo n°402180/2012-7). The FAPESP granted him two contracts 2018/02172 -7 (2018) and 2022/00818-2 (2022) for spending a bimester at the University of Sao Carlos, two short-term mobility financed by CNR for a period of 21 days at the University of Thessaly in 2005 and at U of Lille in 2021, one in Mexico (U. of Zacates and CIDETEQ) in 2009 and one in Lubjana in 2019 both financed by MAECI, one in Sofia in 2020 financed by a bilateral agreement between CNR-BAS. In recognition of his research on solid oxide electrochemical cells, he received the H2Roma Award (2012) and three Dokiya Fund Awards (2009, 2007, 2005).
His membership in scientific organizations includes ISE, ECS, and SCI. From 2010 to 2012, he served as the chair of SCIGiovani. Among various conferences organized, he was chair of GEI2012, HYPOTHESIS XIV, ROUNDTABLE on HYDROGEN in LATIN-AMERICA-2019, ICH2P-2021, and the Italy-Brazil R2B workshop-2021.
Zignani, Sabrina Campagna: - Sabrina Campagna Zignani graduated from UNICS (Brazil) in Science Chemistry in 2005, and went on to obtain her PhD at the Institute of Chemistry (IQSC) Sao Paulo-Brazil (USP) in 2013. Moreover, she completed a postdoctoral research project at CNR-ITAE, funded by CNPQ (grant n° 238319/2012-1) by developing materials for direct alcohol fuel cells and demonstrating these devices under practical operation, acquiring expertise in synthesis methods, advanced equipment for investigating materials, devices and analysis of outlet streams. Currently, she is a permanent researcher at CNR-ITAE, developing electrochemical devices based on zero-gap cells using acidic and alkaline electrolytes for electrolysis applications. Recent accomplishments include the development of catalysts for AEM electrolysers, as well as their synthesis and physicochemical characterization in the framework of EU funded projects such as ECO2FUEL project grant n° 01037389 (2021-2025), ANIONE project grant n° 875024 (2020-2023) and LOTERCO2M project grant n° 761093 (2018-2022)
