Graphene-based electrochemical system for tritium enrichment

Abstract

In this study, tritium enrichment system in a water phase has been developed based on the combination of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis cell and fuel cell. As a PEM NafionTM and laboratory synthesized sulfonated poly ether ether ketone membranes modified with additional graphene layer in order to enhance tritium separation factor was used. Both differences in the kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction and transport through the graphene layer of different isotopes are the driving factors expecting to affect the separation of hydrogen isotopes. The separation factor was measured both during the electrolysis and fuel cell stage by using different membranes. The facilitating effect of the graphene on the separation efficiency was determined during the study. Separation factor obtained by the proposed method was evidently higher than by other conventional methods.