Hydrogen Evolution from Water in Presence of Diethylamine Acetate and 1-Butyl-3-methyl Imidazolium Tetrafluoroborate Ionic Liquids as Electrocatalysts on Different Electrode Materials

Abstract

This report presents the investigation of electrochemical generation of hydrogen from water in the presence of the ionic liquids diethylamine acetate ([DEA][Ac]) and 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]) on different electrode materials such as brass, stainless steel, carbon steel and carbon nanotube paste. Electrochemical properties were investigated using cyclic voltametric, potentiostatic and galvanostatic techniques. The best concentration in water of both ionic liquids studied was obtained at 10 vol. % in cases of brass and stainless steel and for CT3 in solution containing [DEA][Ac]. Efficiencies of hydrogen evolution were determined to be between 94 and 99 %. The materials displayed high stability during the electrolysis process, especially for stainless steel.

Room Temperature Ionic Liquids as Electrolyte Additives for the HER in Alkaline Media

“…13 Similar observations were reported by Long et al but were associated with the viscosity of the IL-containing solutions. 19 de Souza et al reported higher HER efficiency on Mo catalyst in 10 vol.% [Bmim][BF 4 ] aqueous electrolyte than that in KOH solution (which was partially confirmed by Meng et al) 20 and attributed the improvement to the easier proton-donating properties on the IL pre-adsorbed surface with the decreased HER activation energy. 14,21 3-triethylammonium-propanesulfonic acid tetrafluoroborate ([TEA-PS][BF 4 ]) was also used as an electrolyte for water electrolysis.…”