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Raman A, van der Werf S, Eyövge C, Rodriguez Olguin MA, Schlautmann S, Fernández Rivas D, Mei B, Gardeniers H, Susarrey-Arce A. A zero-gap silicon membrane with defined pore size and porosity for alkaline electrolysis. SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS 2024; 8:3296-3303. [PMID: 39050794 PMCID: PMC11265265 DOI: 10.1039/d4se00515e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Porous separators are a key component in alkaline water electrolyzers and are significant sources of overpotential. In this paper, porous silicon separators were fabricated by etching precise arrays of cylindrical pores into silicon substrates through lithography. Chemical stability of the silicon-based separators is ensured through the deposition of a silicon nitride layer. Platinum or nickel were vapor-deposited directly on the faces of the separator to complete a zero-gap configuration. Separator porosity (ε) was varied by changing the pore diameter and the pore spacing. These well-controlled porous silicon zero gap electrodes (PSi-ZGEs) were used to study the trade-off between separator resistance and gas-crossover at different porosities. It was found that separator resistances comparable to commercially used Zirfon UTP 500 were achieved at much lower ε. Gas crossover remained within the explosive limits for ε ≤ 0.15%. The PSi-ZGEs achieved stable performance at 100 mA cm-2 for 24 hours without significant surface damage in the alkaline electrolyte. In the broad perspective, the current work can pave the path for the development of ionomer-free separators for alkaline water electrolysis which rely on the separator geometry to limit gas-crossover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Raman
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente P. O. Box 217 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd van der Werf
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente P. O. Box 217 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Cavit Eyövge
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente P. O. Box 217 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Miguel Angel Rodriguez Olguin
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente P. O. Box 217 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Schlautmann
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente P. O. Box 217 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
| | - David Fernández Rivas
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente P. O. Box 217 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Bastian Mei
- Photocatalytic Synthesis Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente P. O. Box 217 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
- Technische Chemie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum Universitätsstr. 150 44801 Bochum Germany
| | - Han Gardeniers
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente P. O. Box 217 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Arturo Susarrey-Arce
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente P. O. Box 217 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
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Henkensmeier D, Cho WC, Jannasch P, Stojadinovic J, Li Q, Aili D, Jensen JO. Separators and Membranes for Advanced Alkaline Water Electrolysis. Chem Rev 2024; 124:6393-6443. [PMID: 38669641 PMCID: PMC11117188 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Traditionally, alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) uses diaphragms to separate anode and cathode and is operated with 5-7 M KOH feed solutions. The ban of asbestos diaphragms led to the development of polymeric diaphragms, which are now the state of the art material. A promising alternative is the ion solvating membrane. Recent developments show that high conductivities can also be obtained in 1 M KOH. A third technology is based on anion exchange membranes (AEM); because these systems use 0-1 M KOH feed solutions to balance the trade-off between conductivity and the AEM's lifetime in alkaline environment, it makes sense to treat them separately as AEM WE. However, the lifetime of AEM increased strongly over the last 10 years, and some electrode-related issues like oxidation of the ionomer binder at the anode can be mitigated by using KOH feed solutions. Therefore, AWE and AEM WE may get more similar in the future, and this review focuses on the developments in polymeric diaphragms, ion solvating membranes, and AEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Henkensmeier
- Hydrogen
· Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea
Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division
of Energy & Environment Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST
Green School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Chul Cho
- Department
of Future Energy Convergence, Seoul National
University of Science & Technology, 232 Gongreung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01811, Korea
| | - Patric Jannasch
- Polymer
& Materials Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Qingfeng Li
- Department
of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical
University of Denmark (DTU), Fysikvej 310, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - David Aili
- Department
of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical
University of Denmark (DTU), Fysikvej 310, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jens Oluf Jensen
- Department
of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical
University of Denmark (DTU), Fysikvej 310, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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Xie A, You X, Zhang R, Miao J, Cheng L, Tai X, Qin Z, Tang Y, Yang X, Chen Y, Wan P. Zn and N co-doped three-dimensional honeycomb-like carbon featured with interconnected nano-pools for dendrite-free zinc anode. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 638:629-639. [PMID: 36774876 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
The zinc-ion battery (ZIB) has been extensively researched as one of the promising electrochemical power sources. However, the problem of Zn-dendrite formation during repeated plating and stripping process seriously hinders the development of ZIBs. Herein, three-dimensional (3D) honeycomb-like porous carbon (HPC) with co-doping of zinc and nitrogen is prepared through confining growth of nanoscale zeolite imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) on the well-designed nano-pools walls of HPC followed by pyrolysis at 600 ℃ to obtain the final product ZnN/HPC-600, which exhibits large surface area and abundant zincophilic interfaces, ensuring homogeneous distribution of electronic field and low polarization during cycling process. Importantly, ZnN/HPC-600 facilitates the uniform distribution and migration of Zn2+ in this nano-pools structure, avoiding the growth of dendritic Zn crystal during charging stage. The symmetric and asymmetric cells with Zn/ZnN/HPC-600 anodes are assembled, demonstrating excellent cycling reversibility, good rate performance and long-term stability. Besides, a Zn||MnO2 full cell with Zn/ZnN/HPC-600 anode also exhibits robust cycling stability, fast reaction kinetics and almost 100 % coulombic efficiency. This work offers a novel and efficient carbonaceous nano-pools strategy to realize dendrite-free zinc anode in ZIBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao Xie
- Institute of Applied Electrochemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029, NO.15 of North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Xin You
- National Fundamental Research Laboratory of New Hazardous Chemicals Assessment & Accident Analysis, Institute of Electrochemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029, NO.15 of North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Rufei Zhang
- National Fundamental Research Laboratory of New Hazardous Chemicals Assessment & Accident Analysis, Institute of Electrochemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029, NO.15 of North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyuan Miao
- Institute of Applied Electrochemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029, NO.15 of North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Linting Cheng
- Institute of Applied Electrochemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029, NO.15 of North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Xuefeng Tai
- Institute of New Technologies for Precursors, Ningbo Ronbay New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., 315400, No.39 of East Road of Tanjialing, Yuyao, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhiwei Qin
- Institute of Applied Electrochemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029, NO.15 of North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Tang
- Institute of Applied Electrochemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029, NO.15 of North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiaojin Yang
- National Fundamental Research Laboratory of New Hazardous Chemicals Assessment & Accident Analysis, Institute of Electrochemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029, NO.15 of North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Yongmei Chen
- National Fundamental Research Laboratory of New Hazardous Chemicals Assessment & Accident Analysis, Institute of Electrochemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029, NO.15 of North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Pingyu Wan
- National Fundamental Research Laboratory of New Hazardous Chemicals Assessment & Accident Analysis, Institute of Electrochemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029, NO.15 of North Third Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.
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Ludwig KB, Correll-Brown R, Freidlin M, Garaga MN, Bhattacharyya S, Gonzales PM, Cresce AV, Greenbaum S, Wang C, Kofinas P. Highly Conductive Polyacrylonitrile-based Hybrid Aqueous/Ionic Liquid Solid Polymer Electrolytes with Tunable Passivation for Li-ion Batteries. Electrochim Acta 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2023.142349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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A New Method Based on a Zero Gap Electrolysis Cell for Producing Bleach: Concept Validation. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12060602. [PMID: 35736310 PMCID: PMC9230961 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12060602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Commercial bleach (3.6 wt% active chlorine) is prepared by diluting highly concentrated industrial solutions of sodium hypochlorite (about 13 wt% active chlorine) obtained mainly by bubbling chlorine gas into dilute caustic soda. The chlorine and soda used are often obtained by electrolyzing a sodium chloride solution in two-compartment cells (chlorine-soda processes). On a smaller scale, small units used for swimming pool water treatment, for example, allow the production of low-concentration bleach (0.3 to 1 wt% active chlorine) by use of a direct electrolysis of sodium chloride brine. The oxidation and degradation reaction of hypochlorite ion (ClO−) at the anode is the major limiting element of this two-compartment process. In this study, we have developed a new process to obtain higher levels of active chlorine up to 3.6%, or 12° chlorometric degree. For this purpose, we tested a device consisting of a zero-gap electrolysis cell, with three compartments separated by a pair of membranes that can be porous or ion-exchange. The idea is to generate in the anode compartment hypochlorous acid (HClO) at high levels by continuously adjusting its pH to a value between 4.5 and 5.5. In the cathodic compartment, caustic soda is obtained, while the central compartment is supplied with brine. The hypochlorous acid solution is then neutralized with a concentrated solution of NaOH to obtain bleach. In this work, we studied several membrane couples that allowed us to optimize the operating conditions and to obtain bleach with contents close to 1.8 wt% of active chlorine. The results obtained according to the properties of the membranes, their durability, and the imposed electrochemical conditions were discussed.
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Importance of Hydroxide Ion Conductivity Measurement for Alkaline Water Electrolysis Membranes. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12060556. [PMID: 35736263 PMCID: PMC9229372 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12060556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) refers to a representative water electrolysis technology that applies electricity to synthesize hydrogen gas without the production of carbon dioxide. The ideal polymer electrolyte membranes for AWE should be capable of transporting hydroxide ions (OH−) quickly in harsh alkaline environments at increased temperatures. However, there has not yet been any desirable impedance measurement method for estimating hydroxide ions’ conduction behavior across the membranes, since their impedance spectra are significantly affected by connection modes between electrodes and membranes in the test cells and the impedance evaluation environments. Accordingly, the measurement method suitable for obtaining precise hydroxide ion conductivity values through the membranes should be determined. For this purpose, Zirfon®, a state-of-the-art AWE membrane, was adopted as the standard membrane sample to perform the impedance measurement. The impedance spectra were acquired using homemade test cells with different electrode configurations in alkaline environments, and the corresponding hydroxide ion conductivity values were determined based on the electrochemical spectra. Furthermore, a modified four-probe method was found as an optimal measurement method by comparing the conductivity obtained under alkaline conditions.
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Investigating influence of geometry and operating conditions on local current, concentration, and crossover in alkaline water electrolysis using computational fluid dynamics. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.138802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Pristine and Modified Porous Membranes for Zinc Slurry-Air Flow Battery. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26134062. [PMID: 34279401 PMCID: PMC8272061 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26134062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The membrane is a crucial component of Zn slurry–air flow battery since it provides ionic conductivity between the electrodes while avoiding the mixing of the two compartments. Herein, six commercial membranes (Cellophane™ 350PØØ, Zirfon®, Fumatech® PBI, Celgard® 3501, 3401 and 5550) were first characterized in terms of electrolyte uptake, ion conductivity and zincate ion crossover, and tested in Zn slurry–air flow battery. The peak power density of the battery employing the membranes was found to depend on the in-situ cell resistance. Among them, the cell using Celgard® 3501 membrane, with in-situ area resistance of 2 Ω cm2 at room temperature displayed the highest peak power density (90 mW cm−2). However, due to the porous nature of most of these membranes, a significant crossover of zincate ions was observed. To address this issue, an ion-selective ionomer containing modified poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) and N-spirocyclic quaternary ammonium monomer was coated on a Celgard® 3501 membrane and crosslinked via UV irradiation (PPO-3.45 + 3501). Moreover, commercial FAA-3 solutions (FAA, Fumatech) were coated for comparison purpose. The successful impregnation of the membrane with the anion-exchange polymers was confirmed by SEM, FTIR and Hg porosimetry. The PPO-3.45 + 3501 membrane exhibited 18 times lower zincate ions crossover compared to that of the pristine membrane (5.2 × 10−13 vs. 9.2 × 10−12 m2 s−1). With low zincate ions crossover and a peak power density of 66 mW cm−2, the prepared membrane is a suitable candidate for rechargeable Zn slurry–air flow batteries.
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10
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Abstract
NASA's current mandate is to land humans on Mars by 2033. Here, we demonstrate an approach to produce ultrapure H2 and O2 from liquid-phase Martian regolithic brine at ∼-36 °C. Utilizing a Pb2Ru2O7-δ pyrochlore O2-evolution electrocatalyst and a Pt/C H2-evolution electrocatalyst, we demonstrate a brine electrolyzer with >25× the O2 production rate of the Mars Oxygen In Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) from NASA's Mars 2020 mission for the same input power under Martian terrestrial conditions. Given the Phoenix lander's observation of an active water cycle on Mars and the extensive presence of perchlorate salts that depress water's freezing point to ∼-60 °C, our approach provides a unique pathway to life-support and fuel production for future human missions to Mars.
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CFD Modeling and Experimental Validation of an Alkaline Water Electrolysis Cell for Hydrogen Production. Processes (Basel) 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/pr8121634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) is the most widespread technology for hydrogen production by electrolysis, its electrochemical and fluid dynamic optimization has rarely been addressed simultaneously using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation. In this regard, a two-dimensional (2D) CFD model of an AWE cell has been developed using COMSOL® software and then experimentally validated. The model involves transport equations for both liquid and gas phases as well as equations for the electric current conservation. This multiphysics approach allows the model to simultaneously analyze the fluid dynamic and electrochemical phenomena involved in an electrolysis cell. The electrical response was evaluated in terms of polarization curve (voltage vs. current density) at different operating conditions: temperature, electrolyte conductivity, and electrode-diaphragm distance. For all cases, the model fits very well with the experimental data with an error of less than 1% for the polarization curves. Moreover, the model successfully simulates the changes on gas profiles along the cell, according to current density, electrolyte flow rate, and electrode-diaphragm distance. The combination of electrochemical and fluid dynamics studies provides comprehensive information and makes the model a promising tool for electrolysis cell design.
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Naito T, Shinagawa T, Nishimoto T, Takanabe K. Water Electrolysis in Saturated Phosphate Buffer at Neutral pH. CHEMSUSCHEM 2020; 13:5921-5933. [PMID: 32875653 PMCID: PMC7756658 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202001886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen production from renewable energy and ubiquitous water has a potential to achieve sustainability, although current water electrolyzers cannot compete economically with the fossil fuel-based technology. Here, we evaluate water electrolysis at pH 7 that is milder than acidic and alkaline pH counterparts and may overcome this issue. The physicochemical properties of concentrated buffer electrolytes were assessed at various temperatures and molalities for quantitative determination of losses associated with mass-transport during the water electrolysis. Subsequently, in saturated K-phosphate solutions at 80 °C and 100 °C that were found to be optimal to minimize the losses originating from mass-transport at the neutral pH, the water electrolysis performance over model electrodes of IrOx and Pt as an anode and a cathode, respectively, was reasonably comparable with those of the extreme pH. Remarkably, this concentrated buffer solution also achieved enhanced stability, adding another merit of this electrolyte for water electrolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Naito
- Department of ChemicalSystem Engineering, School of EngineeringThe University of Tokyo7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-kuTokyoJapan
| | - Tatsuya Shinagawa
- Department of ChemicalSystem Engineering, School of EngineeringThe University of Tokyo7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-kuTokyoJapan
| | - Takeshi Nishimoto
- Department of ChemicalSystem Engineering, School of EngineeringThe University of Tokyo7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-kuTokyoJapan
| | - Kazuhiro Takanabe
- Department of ChemicalSystem Engineering, School of EngineeringThe University of Tokyo7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-kuTokyoJapan
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Gannon WJF, Warwick MEA, Dunnill CW. Woven Stainless-Steel Mesh as a Gas Separation Membrane for Alkaline Water-Splitting Electrolysis. MEMBRANES 2020; 10:membranes10050109. [PMID: 32456208 PMCID: PMC7281084 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10050109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A 316-grade woven stainless-steel mesh membrane was investigated as a gas-separation membrane for alkaline water-splitting electrolysis. Its resistance was measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), with the conclusion that it presented approximately half the resistance of a comparable commercial alternative (ZirfonTM). Its gas-separation performance was analysed using gas chromatography (GC) at 140 mA cm−2, where it achieved 99.25% purity at the hydrogen outlet of the electrolyser. This fell to 97.5% under pumped circulation, which highlights that it is sensitive to pressure differentials. Nevertheless, this mixture is still more than a factor two inside the upper flammability limit of hydrogen in oxygen. It is hoped that such a low-cost material may bring entry-level electrolysis to many hitherto discounted applications.
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