Researchers from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed advanced cobalt-doped nickel hydroxide bipolar electrodes and non-noble metal catalysts, significantly improving the efficiency and stability of two-step water electrolysis for hydrogen production. The results, published in the Chemical Engineering Journal and the Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, offer a promising solution for large-scale hydrogen storage and applications.
Addressing Challenges of Traditional Alkaline Electrolyzers
Two-step water electrolysis overcomes the limitations of traditional alkaline electrolyzers by separating hydrogen and oxygen production in time and space using a bipolar electrode, eliminating the need for expensive membrane separators.
Key Developments
- Cobalt-doped nickel hydroxide bipolar electrodes: Improved conductivity, electronic storage performance, and prevented parasitic oxygen production.
- Non-noble metal catalysts: Molybdenum-doped nickel-cobalt phosphide and plasma-induced iron composite cobalt oxide bifunctional electrodes demonstrated high durability and activity.
- Enhanced LDH electrodes: Nitrogen-doped nickel-cobalt LDH and nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide/nickel-cobalt LDH electrodes significantly improved capacity and conductivity.
Future Outlook
Two-step water electrolysis shows great potential for large-scale hydrogen storage and applications such as 5G base stations and data centers. As research progresses, the development of advanced materials and optimized cell designs will further improve the efficiency and practicality of this technology, paving the way for a more sustainable energy future.
