Please cite this article as: M.Paidar, V.Fateev, K.Bouzek, Membrane electrolysis − history, current status and perspective, Electrochimica Acta http://dx.
AbstractThis review is devoted to membrane electrolysis, in particular utilizing ion-selective membranes, as an important part of both existing and emerging industrial electrochemical processes. It aims to provide fundamental information on the history and development, current status and future perspectives of membrane electrolysis. It aims to provide fundamental information on the history and development, current status and future perspectives of membrane electrolysis. An overview of the history of electromembrane processes is given with the focus on brine electrolysis since it is the predominant electrochemical industrial technology utilizing ion-selective membranes. This is followed by a summary of the wide range of hydrogen-based energy conversion processes with different degrees of maturity, i.e. water electrolysis and fuel cells, which promise to become the next generation of major electromembrane processes. The overview of the state-of-the-art is rounded off by a number of smaller-scale processes utilizing ionically conducting solid electrolytes and ion-selective membranes that are already commercially available. The article concludes by considering potential future developments in this exciting field of electrochemistry.
To find cheap, efficient and durable hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts is one of the major challenges when developing an alkaline water electrolysis system. In this paper we describe an electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-modified Ni electrode, which could be used as a pre-eminent candidate for such a system. The experimentally determined characteristics of this electrode showing superior electrocatalytic activity were complemented by density functional theory calculations. Thermodynamic considerations led to the conclusion that H atoms, formed upon H2O discharge on Ni, spill onto the RGO, which serves as an H adatom acceptor, enabling continuous cleaning of Ni-active sites and an alternative pathway for H2 production. This mode of action is rendered by the unique reactivity of RGO, which arises due to the presence of O surface groups within the graphene structure. The significant electrocatalytic activity and life time (>35 days) of the RGO towards the HER under conditions of alkaline water electrolysis are demonstrated.
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