Water Electrolysis for Green Hydrogen
Bioinspired Hierarchical Electrode for Alkaline Water Electrolysis
The concept of the Triple Periodic Minimum Surface (TPMS) structure, a cellular architecture mathematically defined and prevalent in natural biological forms such as butterfly wings and beetle shells, is introduced. We propose the creation of nickel/nickel-iron electrodes using 3D printing technology. These electrodes are characterized by their cross-scale porosity, ordered structure, and adjustable TPMS design. This innovative electrode design significantly augments bubble transport efficiency and mass transfer performance, while also providing additional anchor points for catalysts, thereby enhancing the electrochemical active surface area, intrinsic activity, and stability of the composite catalyst. As a result, these electrodes achieve ampere-level current densities in ALK electrolysis cells, enhancing electrolysis efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Related publications:
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Chen, Xiaodong, Deli Zhou, Junhao Ding, Xu Song, and Weihong Li. "3D-Printed Hierarchical Electrodes for Ampere-Level Alkaline Water Electrolysis." In 245th ECS Meeting (May 26-30, 2024). ECS, 2024.
Efficient Catalyst and Electrode Design for PEM or AEM Water Electrolysis
Our team is engaged in the development of innovative catalyst and electrode designs to enhance the efficiency of both Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) water electrolysis. In catalyst design, we focus on creating both acid and alkaline catalysts utilizing either precious or non-precious metals. For electrode design, we specialize in optimizing the catalyst layer, ionomer composition, and the porous transport layer. Additionally, we explore advanced membrane electrode configurations. Our primary objective is to develop and validate ultra-efficient PEM and AEM water electrolyzer designs for application in a 100 kW electrolyzer system.
Related publications:
Li Yu, Bin Tian, Wentao Huang, Xiaochun Zhou, Weihong Li, Advancements in Ordered Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) for Water Electrolysis, submitted.
Seawater Electrolysis
We focus on both direct and indirect seawater electrolysis. For direct seawater electrolysis, we employ innovative strategies to develop Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) and Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) catalysts that resist chloride ion corrosion and prevent the deposition of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) or magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2). In the realm of indirect seawater electrolysis, we develop novel methods and devices both theoretically and experimentally, aimed at seawater purification followed by water electrolysis.
Bubble dynamics and mass transport enhancement in water electrolysis
Bubbles would increase over potential by 3 ways: (a) blocking the active sites on electrode surface, (b) ohmic obstruction within the electrolyte, and (c) obstruction of mass transfer. Here, we aim to reveal the bubble dynamics and realize mass transport enhancement in water electrolysis by integrating catalyst design, transport structure optimization, and device level innovation. Morevoer, these innovations can also be applied to fuel cell devices.
Related publications:
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Muhan Zhang, Lenan Zhang, Weihong Li, "A Unified Multiscale Framework for Simulating Electrochemical Gas Evolving Reactions" In 245th ECS Meeting (May 26-30, 2024). ECS, 2024.