Comparison of Novel Anode Materials for the Production of Hydrogen Using CuCl/HCl Electrolyzers

Abstract

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.

Progress of international program on hydrogen production with the copper–chlorine cycle

“…These measurements were made in a fullcell MEA configuration constructed from the CCE anode electrode (the test electrode), a Nafion 115 membrane, and a standard Pt-based cathode. Details of these electrochemical measurements are described in detail elsewhere [38,39]. The CV results indicated that the capacitive surface area is independent of silane loading (Fig.…”

Investigations on a platinum catalyzed membrane for electrolysis step of copper‐chlorine thermochemical cycle for hydrogen production

“…46 In brief, it can be stated that significant efforts have been devoted to improve the performance, stability of MEA, and decrease the cost for the CuCl/HCl electrolysis process by adopting a wide range of strategies. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]46,51 Considering such efforts in improvements in performance, an alternative approach in MEA fabrication was attempted in the present study where we studied the CuCl/HCl electrolysis using a MEA prepared by directly platinizing the Nafion-117 surface using in-situ impregnation-reduction technique. Earlier studies have established certain advantages on employing a Pt-catalyzed membrane for various electrolytic processes viz.…”

“…Overall reaction : The electrolysers that have been operated in earlier studies have mostly employed commercially available Pt/C electrocatalyst in the MEA at both cathode and anode. [28][29][30][31][32][33] The MEA production and its functioning are critical from the standpoint of CuCl/HCl electrolysis efficiency. Besides Pt/C, another Pt-based electrocatalyst that has also found promise in MEA is directly bonded Pt on membrane or platinized membranes.…”

Progress in thermochemical hydrogen production with the copper–chlorine cycle

“…Significant developments in CuCl/HCl electrolysis have also been demonstrated experimentally at Pennsylvania State University [14] and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology [15]. Alternative membranes to mitigate the adverse effects of copper crossover have been reported [16] as well as Nafion-based and porous polyethylene (PPE) membranes to inhibit copper transport with HCl as a catholyte [17,18]. It was shown that the current efficiency is more than 95% when the cell potential is stable at 0.7V, and the current density is 0.5A.cm -2 for a 36 h test using a Nafion-based membrane.…”