Issue 1, 2018

An electrochemical cell with Gortex-based electrodes capable of extracting pure hydrogen from highly dilute hydrogen–methane mixtures

Abstract

In this work we report a novel liquid–acid electrochemical cell containing Gortex-based gas diffusion electrodes, layered with suitable catalysts and current collectors, that is capable of sustainably extracting pure hydrogen from methane mixtures containing as little as 5% hydrogen. The origin of its efficiency appears to derive from the solid–liquid interface between the solid Gortex electrodes and the liquid electrolyte, as well as the high proton conductivity of the electrolyte. This interface and electrolyte exhibit an efficiency for reaction that greatly exceeds that achieved by the comparable solid–solid interface and proton conductor in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) technology. We report hydrogen yields and recovery by the cell from a range of methane–hydrogen mixtures. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has been used to characterise the cell and to illuminate the system limitations.

Graphical abstract: An electrochemical cell with Gortex-based electrodes capable of extracting pure hydrogen from highly dilute hydrogen–methane mixtures

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 Aug 2017
Accepted
07 Dec 2017
First published
07 Dec 2017

Energy Environ. Sci., 2018,11, 172-184

An electrochemical cell with Gortex-based electrodes capable of extracting pure hydrogen from highly dilute hydrogen–methane mixtures

K. Wagner, P. Tiwari, G. F. Swiegers and G. G. Wallace, Energy Environ. Sci., 2018, 11, 172 DOI: 10.1039/C7EE02236K

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements