• Ceramist
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.182-188
• /
• 2019

Alternative energy sources to the systems using hydrocarbon fuels have been actively developed due to exhaustion of fossil fuels and issue of global warming by CO₂. Fuel cells have attracted great attentions to solve these issues as electricity can be produced with product of clean H₂O by using H₂-O₂ as a fuel. Besides, using reverse reactions make it possible to produce H₂ and O₂ gas from electrolysis of water. There are various fuel cells systems depending on the types of electrolyte, and in this mini-reviews, the main aim is to focus on perovskite oxides as a catalyst for oxygen-evolution reactions in alkaline electrolysis and its potential to application of alkaline electrolysis systems.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.183-196
• /
• 2017

The research efforts directed at advancing water electrolysis technology continue to intensify together with the increasing interest in hydrogen as an alternative source of energy to fossil fuels. Among the various water electrolysis systems reported to date, systems employing a solid polymer electrolyte membrane are known to display both improved safety and efficiency as a result of enhanced separation of products: hydrogen and oxygen. Conducting water electrolysis in an alkaline medium lowers the system cost by allowing non-platinum group metals to be used as catalysts for the complex multi-electron transfer reactions involved in water electrolysis, namely the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER, respectively). We briefly review the anion exchange membranes (AEMs) and electrocatalysts developed and applied thus far in alkaline AEM water electrolysis (AEMWE) devices. Testing the developed components in AEMWE cells is a key step in maximizing the device performance since cell performance depends strongly on the structure of the electrodes containing the HER and OER catalysts and the polymer membrane under specific cell operating conditions. In this review, we discuss the properties of reported AEMs that have been used to fabricate membrane-electrode assemblies for AEMWE cells, including membranes based on polysulfone, poly(2,6-dimethyl-p-phylene) oxide, polybenzimidazole, and inorganic composite materials. The activities and stabilities of tertiary metal oxides, metal carbon composites, and ultra-low Pt-loading electrodes toward OER and HER in AEMWE cells are also described.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.371-383
• /
• 2021

Anion exchange membranes have been used for water electrolysis, which can produce hydrogen, and fuel cells, which can generate electrical energy using hydrogen fuel. Anion exchange membranes operate based on hydroxide ion (OH^-) conduction under alkaline conditions. However, since the anion exchange membrane shows relatively low ion conductivity and alkaline stability, there is still a limit to its commercialization in water electrolysis and fuel cells. To address these issues, it is important to develop novel anion exchange membrane materials by rationally designing a polymer structure. In particular, the polymer structure and synthetic method need to be controlled. By doing so, for polymers, the physical properties, ionic conductivity, and alkaline stability can be maintained. Among many anion exchange membranes, poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) is commercially available and easily accessible. In addition, the PPO has relatively high mechanical and chemical stability compared to other polymers. In this review, we introduce the recent development strategy and characteristics of PPO-based polymer materials used in anion exchange membranes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.432-438
• /
• 2018

Microalgae hold promise as a renewable energy source for the production of biofuel, as they can convert light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. However, cost-efficient harvest of microalgae remains a major challenge to commercial-scale algal biofuel production. We first investigated the potential of electrolytic water as a flocculant for harvesting Tetraselmis sp. Alkaline electrolyzed water (AEW) is produced at the cathode through water electrolysis. It contains mineral ions such as $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Mg^{2+}$ that can act as flocculants. The flocculation activity with AEW was evaluated via culture density, AEW concentration, medium pH, settling time, and ionic strength analyses. The flocculation efficiency was 88.7% at 20% AEW (pH 8, 10 min) with a biomass concentration of 2 g/l. The initial biomass concentration and medium pH had significant influences on the flocculation activity of AEW. A viability test of flocculated microalgal cells was conducted using Evans blue stain, and the cells appeared intact. Furthermore, the growth rate of Tetraselmis sp. in recycled flocculation medium was similar to the growth rate in fresh F/2 medium. Our results suggested that AEW flocculation could be a very useful and affordable methodology for fresh biomass harvesting with environmentally friendly easy operation in part of the algal biofuel production process.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.324-329
• /
• 1971

In order to evaluate the mechanism of electrolytic oxidation of iodate and to determine the optimum conditions for the electrolysis, studies were made using the cells without diaphragm and the lead peroxide anode. Results are summarized as followings: 1) Current density vs. anode potential curve by lead peroxide electrode had the different limiting current densities from platinum electrode and was more positive than platinum electrode. 2) Additions of potassium bichromate in the electrolyte contribute to maintain high current efficiency. 3) In the acid and alkaline regions, the current efficiencies decreased by reduction of iodate and discharge of hydroxyl ion, so maximum current efficiency was shown at pH 7. 4) Higher current density lowered the current efficiency in the region of 60-80% conversion of iodate. 5) Influence of the conversion on current efficiency in the region of 60-80% conversion of iodate.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.137-143
• /
• 2021

As an electrochemical water electrolysis for green hydrogen production, both polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and alkaline electrolyte are being developed extensively in various countries. The PEM electrolyzer with high current density (above 2 A/cm²) has the advantage of being able to design a simple structure. Also, it is known that it has high response to electrical output fluctuations. However, the cost problem of major components is the most important issue that a PEM electrolyzer must overcome. Instantly, there are platinum group metal (PGM)-based electrocatalysts, fluorine-based polyfluoro sulfuric acid (PFSA) membrane, Ti felt (porous transport layer, PTL) and so on. Another challenging issue is productivity. A securing outstanding productivity brings price benefits of the electrolytic cells. From this point of view, we conducted basic studies on manufacturing electrode and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for PEM electrolyzer production.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.273-281
• /
• 2020

Constructing and making highly active and stable nanostructured Pt-based catalysts with ultralow Pt loading are still electrifying for electrochemical applications such as water electrolysis and fuel cells. In this study, MoO₃ ribbons (RBs) of few micrometer in length is successfully synthesized via hydrothermal synthesis. Subsequently, 3-dimentional (3D)-silicate layer for about 10 to 15 nm is introduced via chemical deposition onto the pre-formed MoO₃ RBs; to setup the platform for Pt metaldots (MDs) deposition. In comparison with the bare MoO₃ RBs, the MoO₃-Si has served as a efficient solid-support for stabilizing and accommodating the uniform deposition of sub-2 nm Pt MDs. Such a structural design would effectively assist in improving the electronic conductivity of a fabricated MoO₃-Si-Pt catalyst towards MOR; the interfaced, porous and 3D silicate layer has assisted in an efficient mass transport and quenching the poisonous CO_ads species leading to a significant electrocatalytic performance for MOR in alkaline medium. Uniformly decorated, sub-2 nm sized Pt MDs has synergistically oxidized the MeOH in association with the MoO₃-Si solid-support hence, synergistic catalytic activity has been achieved. Present facile approach can be extended for fabricating variety of highly efficient Metal Oxide-Metal Nanocomposite for energy harvesting applications.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society for Energy Engineering kosee Conference
• /
• 2006.05a
• /
• pp.262-262
• /
• 2006

The characteristics of Brown gas was experimentally studied in view of efficiency and flame propagation. For this study, the Brown gas stack with 7 cells was manufactured following the Brown gas related patents and reports. All measuring equipments were re-tested and calibrated by Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS) certified laboratories. Since the amount of produced gas is most crucial in determining the efficiency, we adopted two gas collecting methods such as bottle trap method and wet gas meter method. The energy efficiency of our own fabricated stack was measured to be 75%, which is comparable to general alkaline water electrolysis efficiency. In order to analyze the flame propagation characteristics of Brown gas, we measured the flame propagation pressure, velocity, and shape by using strain type pressure sensor, optical sensor, and high speed camera in conjunction with Schliren system, respectively. From the experimental results, it was found that the flame propagation behavior of Brown gas was almost the same as that of hydrogen and oxygen mixture gas in 2:1 molar ratio. Moreover, from the high speed camera analysis, we concluded that Brown gas flame exhibits explosion behavior as does mixture gas ($H_{2}:O_{2}=2:1$).