Ceramic carbon electrodes (CCE) containing poly aminopropyl siloxane (PAPS) were fabricated by the sol-gel method. These CCEs have previously been shown to exhibit high performance towards the anode reaction of the electrolytic process used in the Cu-Cl thermochemical cycle for hydrogen production, with optimal performance being achieved at 36 wt% PAPS. Using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, the peak performance at 36 wt% PAPS was explained in terms of the optimization of carbon surface area, anionic transport and electronic conductivity. In addition, we also demonstrated the electrolysis performance in the full cell.

Ceramic carbon electrodes (CCE) were prepared via the sol-gel method using Vulcan XC-72 carbon black and N-[3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine (2N). Each 2N-based CCE was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It was determined that increasing the loading of 2N-silane leads to an increase in both ionic conductivity as well as the electrochemically available surface area. However, highest CuCl/HCl electrolysis performance was achieved at lower 2N-silane loading, indicating that electrode pore structure may play a vital role in electrolysis performance.