Electrolysis in nanochannels for in situ reagent generation in confined geometries

Abstract

In situ generation of reactive species within confined geometries, such as nanopores or nanochannels is of significant interest in overcoming mass transport limitations in chemical reactivity. Solvent electrolysis is a simple process that can readily be coupled to nanochannels for the electrochemical generation of reactive species, such as H₂. Here the production of hydrogen-rich liquid volumes within nanofluidic structures, without bubble nucleation or nanochannel occlusion, is explored both experimentally and by modeling. Devices comprised of multiple horizontal nanochannels intersecting planar working and quasi-reference electrodes were constructed and used to study the effects of confinement and reduced working volume on the electrochemical reduction of H₂O to H₂ and OH⁻. H₂ production in the nanochannel-embedded electrode reactor output was monitored by fluorescence emission of fluorescein, which exhibits a pH-dependent emission intensity. Initially, the fluorescein solution was buffered to pH 6.0 prior to stepping the potential cathodic of E⁰′ for the generation of OH⁻ and H₂. Because the electrochemical products are obtained in a 2 : 1 stoichiometry, local measurements of pH during and after the cathodic potential steps can be converted into H₂ production rates. Independent experimental estimates of the local H₂ concentration were then obtained from the spatiotemporal fluorescence behavior and current measurements, and these were compared with finite element simulations accounting for electrolysis and subsequent convection and diffusion within the confined geometry. Local dissolved H₂ concentrations were correlated to partial pressures through Henry's Law and values as large as 8.3 atm were obtained at the most negative potential steps. The downstream availability of electrolytically produced H₂ in nanochannels is evaluated in terms of its possible use as a downstream reducing reagent. The results obtained here indicate that H₂ can easily reach saturation concentrations at modest overpotentials.