All-in-one bipolar electrode: A new concept for compact and efficient water electrolyzers

Yang, Gaoqiang; Xie, Zhiqiang; Yu, Shule; Li, Kui; Li, Yifan; Ding, Lei; Wang, Weitian; Zhang, Feng-Yuan

doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106551

All-in-one bipolar electrode: A new concept for compact and efficient water electrolyzers

Journal Article · Fri Sep 24 00:00:00 UTC 2021 · Nano Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106551· OSTI ID:1977478

Yang, Gaoqiang ^[1]; Xie, Zhiqiang ^[2]; Yu, Shule ^[2]; Li, Kui ^[2]; Li, Yifan ^[2]; Ding, Lei ^[2]; Wang, Weitian ^[2]; Zhang, Feng-Yuan ^[2]

Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); OSTI
Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)

Highly compact and efficient proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells (PEMECs) are strongly desired for commercializing hydrogen production. Here, a novel concept of all-in-one bipolar electrode (AIOBE) is proposed for high-efficiency and compact PEMECs with the help of 3D printing and sputtering coating. AIOBE ideally integrated catalyst layer (CL)/gas diffusion layer/bipolar plate/current distributor/gasket, which significantly reduced component quantity on the cathode side of PEMECs from 5 to 1, cut down on part weight and volume, and drastically accelerated the fabrication and maintenance processes. Moreover, AIOBE with the micro-scale flat surface and nano-scale rough CL provided an ultralow ohmic resistance (~100 mOhm cm²) and a high catalyst utilization. Finally, AIOBE delivered a practical voltage of 1.62 V and a high energy efficiency of 91% at 1000 mA/cm², and its mass activity (4.48 A/mg_Pt) was 14 times higher than conventional PEMECs. In conclusion, this work provides a new route for developing highly compact electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells, electrolyzers for N₂ reduction and CO₂ conversion, and many more.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States); National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Skyre, Inc., East Hartford, CT (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308; EE0008423; EE0008426; FE0011585

OSTI ID:: 1977478

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2335459
OSTI ID: 1822986

Journal Information:: Nano Energy, Journal Name: Nano Energy Journal Issue: A Vol. 90; ISSN 2211-2855

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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