Optimization of Operating Parameters and Components for Water Electrolysis Using Anion Exchange Membrane

Abstract

The hydrogen has been recognized as a clean, nonpolluting and unlimited energy source that can solve fossil fuel depletion and environmental pollution problems at the same time. Water electrolysis has been the most attractive technology in a way to produce hydrogen because it does not emit any pollutants compared to other method such as natural gas steam reforming and coal gasification etc. In order to improve efficiency and durability of the water electrolysis, comprehensive studies for highly active and stable electrocatalysts have been performed. The platinum group metal (PGM; Pt, Ru, Pd, Rh, etc.) electrocatalysts indicated a higher activity and stability compared with other transition metals in harsh condition such as acid solution. It is necessary to develop inexpensive non-noble metal catalysts such as transition metal oxides because the PGM catalysts is expensive materials with insufficient it's reserves. The optimization of operating parameter and the components is also important factor to develop an efficient water electrolysis cell. In this study, we optimized the operating parameter and components such as the type of AEM and density of gas diffusion layer (GDL) and the temperature/concentration of the electrolyte solution for the anion exchange membrane water electrolysis cell (AEMWEC) with the transition metal oxide alloy anode and cathode electrocatalysts. The maximum current density was 345.8 mA/cm 2 with parameter and component optimization.

Importance of Hydroxide Ion Conductivity Measurement for Alkaline Water Electrolysis Membranes

“…Thus, the polymer electrolyte membrane is one of the vital components of AWE, which is capable of preventing direct contact with the anode and cathode, providing the hydroxide ion conductivity between the electrodes, and separating the generated gases [5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. In particular, the membrane requires high hydroxide ion conductivity to consume a low voltage per current density and efficient hydrogen production in AWE [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Over the past few years, numerous research groups have been committed to increasing the hydroxide ion conductivity, which has been found as an important electrochemical performance relating to the whole AWE process [20].…”