Designing a Bipolar Membrane Electrolyzer for NaCl Electrolysis to Produce High-Quality NaClO

Abstract

Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) is an important chlorine-based disinfectant that has been widely used for disinfection in public places and domestic environments. In the present work, we have designed a novel electrolyzer for NaCl electrolysis to produce high-quality NaClO. The cell was separated into two chambers by a bipolar membrane. Thus, NaCl electrooxidation can be conducted in a basic anolyte, and H2O electroreduction can be conducted in an acidic catholyte. Consequently, higher efficiency can be achieved than that of conventional methods. After 3 h of electrolysis, the available chlorine reached 531.8 mg/L with no deformation of the bipolar membrane. This electrolyzer provides a new avenue to produce high-quality NaClO from NaCl electrolysis.