Research on the performance of membranes and anode materials in alkaline water electrolysis

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2097-0706.2022.05.007

Abstract

Abstract:

Since water electrolysis for hydrogen production can transform large-scale renewable energy into green hydrogen,it is widely used in low-carbon terminal energy applications,such as fuel,chemical and transportation industry.This technique plays an important role in carbon emission reduction.Alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen production has attracted much attention as one of the most promising large-scale hydrogen production technologies.In order to lower the overpotential in water electrolysis for hydrogen production,the properties of membranes and anode materials were studied. The results show that the membrane resistance of polymer composite membrane Zirfon is lower than that of polyether sulfide non-woven fabric by 0.3 V.Zirfon membrane has lower membrane resistance and higher hydrophilicity. Hydrophilicity of membranes can affect the utilization rate of the active site on electrode,and a higher hydrophilicity leads to a lower activation impedance of electrode. While choosing the material for anode, nickel mesh shows a lower overpotential in water electrolysis than nickel foam,due to its lower pure resistance. This study can provide reference for the optimization of membranes,electrodes and other key components of electrolytic cells,which will be conducive to the cost reduction of water electrolysis.

Key words: alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen production, membrane, electrode, overpotential, renewable energy, carbon emission reduction, electrolyzer, green hydrogen

CLC Number:

TK01

Yating GUO, Tianyin DENG, Yanying LIU, Guangli HE. Research on the performance of membranes and anode materials in alkaline water electrolysis[J]. Integrated Intelligent Energy, 2022, 44(5): 64-68.

Figures/Tables 7

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隔膜	厚度/μm	孔隙率/%	透气性(500 kPa)/[L·(min·cm²)^-1]	隔膜电阻/mΩ
Zirfon500⁺	500±50	60±5	3.2±1.0	72
Zirfon500	500±50	55±5	3.2±1.0	283
PPS无纺布	720±10	—	—	571