Korean Institute of Surface Engineering

pISSN : 1225-8024 | eISSN : 3399-8403


공학

한국표면공학회지 (49권2호 159-165)

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

음이온 교환막 알칼리 수전해를 위한 운전 조건 및 구성요소의 최적화

장명제;원미소;이규환;최승목;
Jang, Myeong Je;Won, Mi So;Lee, Kyu Hwan;Choi, Sung Mook;

한국기계연구원 부설 재료연구소 표면기술연구본부;
Surface Technology Department, Korea Institute of Materials Science;

DOI : 10.5695/JKISE.2016.49.2.159

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 $345.8mA/cm^2$ with parameter and component optimization.

Keywords

Hydrogen;Water electrolysis;Anion exchange membrane (AEM);