• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.695-700
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• 2014

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) can generate hydrogen and oxygen from water by electrolysis. But the electrode and polymer electrolyte membrane degrade rapidly during PEM water electrolysis because of high operation voltage over 1.7V. In order to reduce the rate of anode electrode degradation, unsupported $IrO_2$ catalyst was used generally. In this study, Pt/C catalyst for PEMFC was used as a water electrolysis catalyst, and then the degradation of catalyst and membrane were analysed. After water electrolysis reaction in the voltage range from 1.8V to 2.0V, I-V curves, impedance spectra, cyclic voltammograms and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) were measured at PEMFC operation condition. The degradation rate of electrode and membrane increased as the voltage of water electrolysis increased. The hydrogen yield was 88 % during water electrolysis for 1 min at 2.0V, the performance at 0.6V decreased to 49% due to degradation of membrane and electrode assembly.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2018.06a
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• pp.28-28
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• 2018

수전해(electrochemical water splitting)는 연료전지의 가역적 역반응을 이용하여 물로부터 수소와 산소를 발생시키는 기술이다. 산소는 음극에서 발생하는데, 이 때 음극 표면은 고농도의 산소 음이온 및 라디칼에 장시간 노출된다. 때문에 기계적, 화학적 내구성이 우수한 전극재를 사용할 필요가 있다. 불용성 전극 (dimensionally stable anode, DSA)은 이러한 기술적 요구사항을 잘 만족하는 상용화 된 전극이다. 티타늄이나 티타늄 합금 표면에 촉매를 미량 반복 살포하여 산화물 형태의 매우 견고한 표면을 형성함으로서 내구성을 확보한다. 그러나, 보통 DSA 제조 기법의 특징에 따라 다공성 표면 구조를 사용하지는 않기 때문에 생산 과정이 복잡하고 비용이 많이 발생하는 문제를 여전히 나타내고 있다. 본 연구는 상기 문제를 개선하기 위한 수전해용 음극 제조 기술에 관한 연구이다. 티타늄과 티타늄 합금은 동일한 양극산화 기술 적용이 가능하다는 점을 이용하여 티타늄 기판으로부터 다공성 구조를 형성함으로써 바인더의 사용을 배제하였다. 단일공정양극산화기법 (single-step anodization)을 이용하여 $IrO_2$와 $RuO_2$를 도핑함으로써 TiO2에 촉매능을 부여하였다. 제조된 나노튜브들의 구조적 특징을 HR-TEM (High-resolution transmission electron microscope)과 FE-SEM (Field-emission scanning electron microscope)으로 분석하고 SAED (selective area electron diffraction) 패턴을 분석하여 전극재의 결정성을 확인하였다. 알칼라인 분위기에서 일으킨 산소발생반응 (oxygen evolution reaction, OER)의 LSV (linear sweep voltammetry) 결과를 XPS (X-ray photoelectron microscoscopy) 결과와 연관지어 촉매 표면 구조와 과전압의 관계를 해석하였다. LSV 결과로부터 Tafel 분석을 연달아 수행함으로써 전극의 속도결정단계를 정의하였다. 최종적으로 사이클 테스트 통하여 DSA로써의 성능을 평가하였다.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.202-207
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• 2024

In this study, we undertook detailed experiments to increase hydrogen production efficiency by optimizing the thickness of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) thin films. TiO₂ films were deposited on p-type silicon (Si) wafers using atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology. The main goal was to identify the optimal thickness of TiO₂ film that would maximize hydrogen production efficiency while maintaining stable operating conditions. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of the TiO₂ films of different thicknesses were evaluated using open circuit potential (OCP) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) analysis. These techniques play a pivotal role in evaluating the electrochemical behavior and photoactivity of semiconductor materials in PEC systems. Our results showed photovoltage tended to improve with increasing thickness of TiO₂ deposition. However, this improvement was observed to plateau and eventually decline when the thickness exceeded 1.5 nm, showing a correlation between charge transfer efficiency and tunneling. On the other hand, LSV analysis showed bare Si had the greatest efficiency, and that the deposition of TiO₂ caused a positive change in the formation of photovoltage, but was not optimal. We show that oxide tunneling-capable TiO₂ film thicknesses of 1~2 nm have the potential to improve the efficiency of PEC hydrogen production systems. This study not only reveals the complex relationship between film thickness and PEC performance, but also enabled greater efficiency and set a benchmark for future research aimed at developing sustainable hydrogen production technologies.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.302-306
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• 2017

Humidity affect performance and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). High humidity of gases generally enhance the performance, but high humidity have the danger of flooding. I-V performance, linear sweep voltammetry, cyclo voltammetry, and impedance of micro-channel cell measured with change of relative humidity (RH). Flooding phenomena started at RH 70%. Ion conductivity of membrane reached maximum value at RH 80%. Maximum current density of $1,700mA/cm^2$ (at 0.6 V) was obtained at RH 80%. Therefore the effect of ion conductivity increasement was higher than that of mass transfer decrease by flooding at RH 80%.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.636-641
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• 2016

Alkaline water electrolysis is commercial hydrogen production technology. It is possible to operate MW scale plant. Because It used non-precious metal for electrode. But It has relatively low current density and low efficiency. In this study, research objective is development of anode for alkaline water electrolysis with low cost, high corrosion resistance and high efficiency. Stainless steel 316L (SUS 316L) was selected for a substrate of electrode. To improve corrosion resistance of substrate, Nickel (Ni) layer was electrodeposited on SUS 316L. Ni-Fe alloy was electrodeposited on the passivated Ni layer as active catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction(OER). We optimized preparation condition of Ni-Fe alloy electrodeposition by changing current density, electrodeposition time and composition ratio of Ni-Fe electrodeposition bath. This electrodes were electrochemically evaluated by using Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and Cyclic voltammetry (CV). The Ni-Fe alloy (Ni : Fe = 1 : 1) showed best activity of OER. The optimized electrode decreased overpotential about 40% at $100mA/cm^2$ compared with Ni anode.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2017

In this work, two different platinum (Pt) counter electrodes have been prepared by spin coating a Pt solution and screen printing a Pt paste on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate followed by sintering at $380^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses of the Pt electrodes showed that the spin coated electrode was catalytically more active than the screen printed electrode. The above result agrees well with the surface morphology of the electrodes studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the photovoltaic performance of the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) fabricated with the Pt electrodes. Moreover, calculation of current density-voltage (j-V) curves according to diode model with the parameters obtained from the experimental j-V curves and the EIS data of the DSSCs provided a quantitative insight about how the catalytic activity of the counter electrodes affected the photovoltaic performance of the cells. Even though the experimental situations involved in this work are trivial, the method of analyses outlined here gives a strong insight about how the catalytic activity of a counter electrode affects the photovoltaic performance of a DSSC. This work, also, demonstrates how the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs can be improved by tuning the performance of counter electrode materials.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2021

Developing effective and earth-abundant electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is critical for the commercialization of a water splitting system. In particular, the overpotential of the OER is relatively higher than the HER, and thus, it is considered that one of the important methods to enhance the performance of the electrocatalyst is to reduce the overpotential of the OER. We report effects of incorporation of metalloid into Ni(OH)2 microcrystal on electrocatalytic activities. In this study, Te incorporated Ni(OH)2 (��Te-Ni(OH)2) were grown on three-dimensional porous NF by a facile solvothermal method with �� = 1, 3 and 5. Homogeneous microplate structure on the NF was clearly observed for the Ni(OH)2/NF and ��Te-Ni(OH)2/NF samples. However, irregular and collapsed nanostructures were found on the surface of nickel foam when Te precursor ratio is (��) over 3. Electrocatalytic OER properties were analysed by Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The amount of Te incorporation used in the electrocatalytic reaction was found to play a crucial role in improving catalytic activity. The optimum Te amount (��) introduced into the Ni(OH)2/NF was discussed with respect to their OER performance.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.854-862
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• 2016

As the demand for a clean energy to replace fossil fuel being depleted increases, hydrogen energy is considered as a promising candidate for future energy source. Water electrolysis which produces hydrogen has high energy efficiency and stability but still has a large overpotential for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this study, $Co_3O_4$ catalysts with different morphology were prepared by spray pyrolysis from solutions which contain Co precursor and various organic additives (urea, sucrose, and citric acid), followed by post heat treatment. For the catalysts synthesized, X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were performed to identify their crystal structure. Morphology and surface shape of the catalysts were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Surface area and pore volume were examined by nitrogen adsortpion & desorption tests and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was conducted to confirm nitrogen doping. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) was carried out to investigate OER activity of $Co_3O_4$ catalysts. As a result, bare-$Co_3O_4$ which has high surface area and small particle size determined by spray pyrolysis showed high activity toward OER.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.216-221
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• 2012

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide has been widely studied by many scientists and researchers. Recently, the production of formic acid, which is expensive but highly useful liquid material, is receiving a great attention. However, difficulties in the electrochemical reduction process and analyzing methods impede the researches. Therefore, it is important to design an adequate system, develop the reduction process and establish the analyzing methods for carbon dioxide reduction to formic acid. In this study, the production of formic acid through electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide was performed and concentration of the product has been analyzed. Large scale batch cell with proton exchange membrane was used in the experiment. The electrochemical experiment has been performed using a series of metal catalysts. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and chronoamperometry were performed for carbon dioxide reduction and electrochemical analysis using silver chloride and platinum electrode as a reference electrode and counter electrode, respectively. The concentration of formic acid generated from the reduction was monitored using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results validate the appropriateness and effectiveness of the designed system and analyzing tool.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.56 no.12
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• pp.885-892
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• 2018

Molybdenum disulfide ($MoS_2$) based electrocatalysts have been proposed as substitutes for platinum group metal (PGM) based electrocatalyst to hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water electrolysis. Here, we studied $MoS_2/CNFs$ hybrid catalyst prepared by electrospinning method with heat treatment for polymer electrolyte membrane(PEM) water electrolysis to improve the HER activity. The physicochemical and electrochemical properties such as average diameter, crystalline properties, electrocatalitic activity for HER of synthesized $MoS_2/CNFs$ were investigated by the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Raman Spectroscopy (Raman) and Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV). The as spun ATTM/PVP nanofibers were prepared by sol-gel and electrospinning method. Subsequently, the $MoS_2/CNFs$ was dereived from reduction heat treatment of ATTM at the ATTM/PVP nanofibers and carbonization heat treatment. Synthesized $MoS_2/CNFs$ electrocatalyst had an average diameter of $179{\pm}30nm$. We confirmed that the $MoS_2$ layers in $MoS_2/CNF$ electrocatalyst consist of 3~4 layers from the Raman results. In addition, We confirmed that the $MoS_2$ layers in $MoS_2/CNF$ catalyst consist of 7.47% octahedral 1T phase $MoS_2$, 63.77% trigonal prismatic 2H phase $MoS_2$ with 28.75% $MoO_3$ through the XRD, Raman and XPS results. It was shown that $MoS_2/CNFs$ had the overpotential of 0.278 V at $10mA/cm^2$ and tafel slope of 74.8 mV/dec in 0.5 M sulfuric acid ($H_2SO_4$) electrolyte.