KULeuven: Department of Materials Engineering / Surface and Interface Engineered Materials (New Materials/iR)

General expertise of the research group

The New Materials / iR group at KU Leuven – Brugge concentrates on the experimental development, using chemical synthesis methods and interface modification techniques, and characterization of novel functional (polymer) materials for sustainable solutions in various applications.

Specific hydrogen- related expertise & research topics

• Material surface area characterization by gas adsorption techniques
• Underground hydrogen gas storage in rock salt caverns
• Polymer membrane development
• Characterization of degradation of polymer membranes
• Electrochemistry

Available equipment/tools:

•  Electrochemical equipment (Metrohm Autolab potentiostat/galvanostat with impedance station and NOVA2 software)
• Electrosynthesis equipment (ElectraSyn)
• Automated film applicator
• Spin coater, dip coater, spray coater
• Fumehoods and chemical synthesis equipment, autoclaves, ovens, centrifuge, etc
• Ultrasonic probe
• Tube furnace
• Ion chromatograph
• Viscometer
• Pull-off adhesion tester

Participating in FL/B/EU funded projects with H2 related research:

• HYDE: Hydrogen technology for Defence applications, DEFRA Belspo. Partners: KU Leuven, VIVES Zuid, VIVES Noord, Solenco Power

Main relevant publications

1.  Madhav, D., Shao, C., Mus, J., Buysschaert, F., Vandeginste, V. (2023). The effect of salty environments on the degradation behaviour and mechanical properties of Nafion membranes. Energies, 16(5), Art.No. 2256. doi:10.3390/en16052256
2.  Vandeginste, V., Ji, Y., Buysschaert, F., Anoyatis, G. (2023). Mineralogy, microstructures and geomechanics of rock salt for underground gas storage. Deep Underground Science and Engineering, 2 (2), 129-147. doi.org/10.1002/dug2.12039
3.  Xie, W., Wang, M., Vandeginste, V., Chen, S., Yu, Z., Wang, J., Wang, H., Gan, H. (2022). Adsorption behavior and mechanism of CO2 in the Longmaxi shale gas reservoir. RSC ADVANCES, 12 (40), 25947- 25954.
4.  Martin-Clave, C., Ougier-Simonin, A., Vandeginste, V. (2021). Impact of second phase content on rock salt rheological behaviour under cyclic mechanical conditions. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 54, 5245-5267.