Investigative study of cost-effective ZrO₂ nanoparticles/acrylic based diaphragm for alkaline electrolyzers

Abstract

Energy is crucial to the cycle of existence in the universe and plays an important role in achieving sustainable growth. Considering the traits of the conventional approach and challenges dealing with conventional energy technologies, water electrolysis is reflected to be simple, sustainable, and green energy tool. Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) process is mature technology of the last century for industrial hydrogen production. AWE uses asbestos as the separator medium. However, asbestos allows crossover of the produced gases therefore, low purity gas is obtained, and with limited stability. In the present study, a novel composite diaphragm separator has been synthesized using Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) with aqueous acrylic solution in different compositions and optimized for enhanced performance. The prepared composite is initially stabilized through sonication and applied on the medium with a uniform thickness using a doctor blade film applicator. The study aims to optimize the composite diaphragm to withstand the severe chemical and thermal conditions of the electrolyzer. Zirconium oxide-based diaphragms offer several advantages over other types of diaphragms, including excellent corrosion resistance, high chemical and thermal stability, and long service life. These coated separator diaphragms showed good electrolysis performance and stability in an alkaline medium.