Towards membrane-electrode assembly systems for CO₂ reduction: a modeling study

Abstract

This work presents a multiphysics model simulating membrane-electrode assemblies for CO2 reduction.

Investigating Electrode Flooding in a Flowing Electrolyte, Gas‐Fed Carbon Dioxide Electrolyzer

“…Managing the parasitic capture of CO 2 by aqueous electrolytes and the precipitation of carbonate salts, thereafter, may benefit from electrode‐level models that can predict precipitation events in response to selected operating conditions such as the ionic strength of the electrolyte, the bulk electrolyte pH, the pH of the electrode–electrolyte interface, and the water vapor content in the feed gas . Given the diversity of porous media available, the characteristic behavior for the Freudenberg GDLs presented here may not be representative of or predictive for all GDEs, but the underlying chemical and physical phenomena associated with CO 2 electrolysis, OH − generation, and carbonation are expected to persist for all electrodes and for all mild‐to‐strong alkaline aqueous electrolytes used in a gas‐fed, flowing electrolyte configuration.…”

Promises of Main Group Metal–Based Nanostructured Materials for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to Formate

“…Another important cell configuration is membrane electrode assembly (MEA) cells that were initially developed for fuel cells and water electrolyzers, and now become increasingly popular for CO 2 RR. [123] In contrast to flow cells, MEA cells do not use liquid electrolyte. They consist of a polymer electrolyte membrane for ion exchange between the cathode and anode (Figure 10g,h).…”

Transport of Neutral and Charged Solutes in Imidazolium-Functionalized Poly(phenylene oxide) Membranes for Artificial Photosynthesis

“…13 Alternatively, in MEAs in which both anode and cathode are fed humidified gas, the membrane may dehydrate, leading to a loss of ionic conductivity and deterioration of cell performance. 13 Considering such situations, the membrane water uptake, which correlates with water permeability via the water volume fraction, may play a critical role in managing water availability inside artificial photosynthesis devices. 13,63 Conclusions A family of ImPPO-χ polymers were synthesized and subsequently fabricated into membranes to enable a structure-transport study relevant to artificial photosynthesis.…”

“…13 Considering such situations, the membrane water uptake, which correlates with water permeability via the water volume fraction, may play a critical role in managing water availability inside artificial photosynthesis devices. 13,63 Conclusions A family of ImPPO-χ polymers were synthesized and subsequently fabricated into membranes to enable a structure-transport study relevant to artificial photosynthesis. The membrane chemical structure was varied by changing the degree of imidazolium functionalization.…”

“…6,[9][10][11] The electrolyte charge carrier between the anode and cathode in the liquid electrolyte is commonly bicarbonate or carbonate, although supplemental electrolyte charge carriers are sometimes employed. 7,9,[12][13][14] Given that the primary electrolyte charge carriers are anions, anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are often employed in artificial photosynthesis devices because they more readily promote anion transport between the electrodes than cation exchange membranes. 6,15 High charge carrier transport fluxes support high device current densities and reduce polarization losses.…”