Kirkaldy, N. , Chisholm, G. , Chen, J.-J. and Cronin, L. (2018) A practical, organic-mediated, hybrid electrolyser that decouples hydrogen production at high current densities. Chemical Science, 9(6), pp. 1621-1626. (doi: 10.1039/C7SC05388F) (PMID:29675207) (PMCID:PMC5887965)
|
Text
155466.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial. 749kB |
Abstract
Hydrogen is seen as a sustainable fuel of the future, yet the vast majority of global hydrogen production comes from the reformation of fossil fuels. Electrolytic water splitting using proton exchange membrane electrolysers (PEMEs) provides a pathway to sustainable hydrogen production through coupling to renewable energy sources, but can suffer from gas crossover at low current densities and high operating pressures, causing explosive gas mixtures and decreasing cell lifetimes. Here we demonstrate the application of a highly stable, organic electron-coupled proton buffer (ECPB) which allows the decoupling of hydrogen and oxygen production during water splitting. By merging concepts from redox flow battery and PEM electrolysis research, we have built a hybrid electrolyser device capable of decoupling the gas evolution reactions during water splitting. The device improves on both gas purity and operational safety, while still working at industrially relevant, high current density. Anthraquinone-2,7-disulfonic acid was used as an organic redox mediator in this two-step process, producing H2 at current densities of up to 3.71 A cm−2 at 2.00 V, extending the concept of the ECPB.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Chisholm, Dr Greig and Chen, Dr Jiajia and Kirkaldy, Mr Niall and Cronin, Professor Lee |
| Authors: | Kirkaldy, N., Chisholm, G., Chen, J.-J., and Cronin, L. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry |
| Journal Name: | Chemical Science |
| Publisher: | Royal Society of Chemistry |
| ISSN: | 2041-6520 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2041-6539 |
| Published Online: | 10 January 2018 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2018 The Royal Society of Chemistry |
| First Published: | First published in Chemical Science 9(6):1621-1626 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Altmetric
Altmetric