Earth-Abundant Electrocatalysts in Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers

Sun, Xinwei; Xu, Kaiqi; Fleischer, Christian; Liu, Xin; Grandcolas, Mathieu; Strandbakke, Ragnar; Bjørheim, Tor S.; Norby, Truls; Chatzitakis, Athanasios

doi:10.3390/catal8120657

Cited by 59 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 214 publications

(287 reference statements)

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“…This significant constraint could be somewhat alleviated using other electrolyzers with lower content of noble metals such as alkaline electrolyzers ( Sankir and Sankir, 2017 ), but the energy efficiency would decrease. Platinum is a known limitation to the growth of the water electrolysis industry ( Sealy, 2008 ) and in the last few years a significant amount of research has been directed at finding alternatives to the use of noble metals in electrolyzers, but there are few viable alternatives as of now ( Sun et al., 2018 ). In contrast, the materials typically used to catalyze the WGS reaction include iron, chromium, copper, aluminum and zinc, which are far more common natural resources, and different combinations of these and others can be used ( Pal et al., 2018 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential of microbial protein from hydrogen for preventing mass starvation in catastrophic scenarios

Martínez¹,

Egbejimba

Throup³

et al. 2021

Sustainable Production and Consumption

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Human civilization's food production system is currently unprepared for catastrophes that would reduce global food production by 10% or more, such as nuclear winter, supervolcanic eruptions or asteroid impacts. Alternative foods that do not require much or any sunlight have been proposed as a more cost-effective solution than increasing food stockpiles, given the long duration of many global catastrophic risks (GCRs) that could hamper conventional agriculture for 5 to 10 years. Microbial food from single cell protein (SCP) produced via hydrogen from both gasification and electrolysis is analyzed in this study as alternative food for the most severe food shock scenario: a sun-blocking catastrophe. Capital costs, resource requirements and ramp up rates are quantified to determine its viability. Potential bottlenecks to fast deployment of the technology are reviewed. The ramp up speed of food production for 24/7 construction of the facilities over 6 years is estimated to be lower than other alternatives (3-10% of the global protein requirements could be fulfilled at end of first year), but the nutritional quality of the microbial protein is higher than for most other alternative foods for catastrophes. Results suggest that investment in SCP ramp up should be limited to the production capacity that is needed to fulfill only the minimum recommended protein requirements of humanity during the catastrophe. Further research is needed into more uncertain concerns such as transferability of labor and equipment production. This could help reduce the negative impact of potential food-related GCRs.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential of microbial protein from hydrogen for preventing mass starvation in catastrophic scenarios

Martínez¹,

Egbejimba

Throup³

et al. 2021

Sustainable Production and Consumption

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“…In their pioneering work, the authors concluded that the lowest Pt loading in a PEMFC for both negatrode and positrode electrodes equals to 0.35 mg/cm 2 , which translates to 3 kW per gram of platinum. Such values are also realistic for PEMWEs as indicated by our extensive review on PEM water electrolyzers [188].…”

Section: Mixed Electron-proton Conducting Composite Membranes For mentioning

confidence: 99%

Composite Membranes for High Temperature PEM Fuel Cells and Electrolysers: A Critical Review

et al. 2019

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Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolysers offer efficient use and production of hydrogen for emission-free transport and sustainable energy systems. Perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes like Nafion® and Aquivion® are the state-of-the-art PEMs, but there is a need to increase the operating temperature to improve mass transport, avoid catalyst poisoning and electrode flooding, increase efficiency, and reduce the cost and complexity of the system. However, PSFAs-based membranes exhibit lower mechanical and chemical stability, as well as proton conductivity at lower relative humidities and temperatures above 80 °C. One approach to sustain performance is to introduce inorganic fillers and improve water retention due to their hydrophilicity. Alternatively, polymers where protons are not conducted as hydrated H3O+ ions through liquid-like water channels as in the PSFAs, but as free protons (H+) via Brønsted acid sites on the polymer backbone, can be developed. Polybenzimidazole (PBI) and sulfonated polyetheretherketone (SPEEK) are such materials, but need considerable acid doping. Different composites are being investigated to solve some of the accompanying problems and reach sufficient conductivities. Herein, we critically discuss a few representative investigations of composite PEMs and evaluate their significance. Moreover, we present advances in introducing electronic conductivity in the polymer binder in the catalyst layers.

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“…Speaking of hydrogen reactions, Davydova and coworkers [7] used three-electrode rotating disc electrode experiments to show that Fe, Co, and Cu-doped Ni can have very high hydrogen oxidation reaction activity in alkaline media. Finalizing the discussion on catalysts is a thorough review by Sun et al [8], which discussed state-of-the-art PGM-free catalysts for PEM electrolyzers, giving an important perspective on activity, cost, and stability. This review is extremely fundamental and thorough, and it provides an excellent starting point for new researchers in this field to understand what was done and what can be done in the future.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%