Electrochemistry for Space Life Support

Abstract

Electrochemical technology plays a key role in maintaining habitable environments for human space exploration. Historically, oxygen generation through electrolysis has been a key electrochemical technology for space life support. However, emerging electrochemical technologies are changing the way we process carbon dioxide and urine to supply oxygen and fresh water. Similarly, electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide can support in-situ resource utilization to produce disinfectants for sanitary needs. These technologies will support space exploration that relies upon closed loop living and is increasingly independent of ground support, opening opportunities for human exploration of the Moon and Mars.

Iron Quantum Dots Electro-Assembling on Vulcan XC-72R: Hydrogen Peroxide Generation for Space Applications

“…Space and terrestrial technologies are at the cutting edge of new materials developments with ultrahigh performance in fuel cells, batteries, and supercapacitors applications. , Desirable features such as high-power density production, high rate performance, high reliability, short loading time, cycling stability, and low maintenance costs are the main characteristics to be achieved in new energy-related devices. Several studies have been dedicated to creating new electrode materials, improving the specific capacitance and the operating voltage, while not sacrificing the power density and cycle life. , …”

“…Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most demanded compounds globally, and its production efforts have recently been aimed at scientific research . Simultaneously, a rising interest in in-situ H 2 O 2 production for space applications has been developed. , Several electrochemical technologies are emerging to improve system sustainability, recyclability, and durability. One of those areas that require new materials carrier to achieve targeted lifetimes, efficiencies, and production rates are related to disinfecting solutions.…”

“…Direct in-situ electrochemical syntheses of H 2 O 2 , by optimizing the ORR catalyst via two-electrons process, represents an alternative to the current industrial production, avoiding unsafe and expensive transport procedures from earth. Hydrogen peroxide electrochemical synthesis is an attractive generation method because it requires no reactive precursors to be stocked, just supporting electrolytes to be combined to a suitable onboard water supply to form the feed solution for the device generation. , …”

“…Recently, in-situ hydrogen peroxide production has been reported under terrestrial and zero-gravity flight experiments, through technology developed between Faraday Technology Inc. and the University of Puerto Rico. , These experiments revealed no effect on the hydrogen peroxide generation performances under zero-gravity compared to ground experiments. Nevertheless, more developments on novel catalysts design are needed to improve the ORR efficiency toward peroxide.…”

“…The on-demand disinfectant system is an interesting adaptation of fuel cell gas diffusion cathode technology in combination with a suitable catalyst to promote an efficient two-electron reduction pathway to hydrogen peroxide. This system represents a technologic for the disinfecting process in space, specifically for the future Moon and Mars missions …”