Methods of producing gas by electrolysis
By adding poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) to alkaline electrolytes, the method addresses high energy consumption in water electrolysis, achieving efficient and low-corrosive hydrogen and oxygen production.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- TW114141843
- Authority / Receiving Office
- TW · TW
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-11
- Estimated Expiration
- 2045-10-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing water electrolysis methods for producing hydrogen and oxygen require high energy consumption due to water's poor electrical conductivity, necessitating the use of alkaline or acidic electrolytes to increase conductivity, which increases production costs.
Incorporating poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) into an alkaline electrolyte at concentrations between 10⁻⁴ wt% to 10⁻¹ wt% to enhance conductivity, facilitating electrolysis with a DC voltage applied to a cathode and anode for hydrogen and oxygen production.
The method achieves low energy consumption and high efficiency in hydrogen and oxygen generation, with stable conductivity and reduced corrosivity to electrolysis equipment.
Smart Images
Figure IMG-2_DRAW_114141843-A0305-14-0001-1 
Figure IMG-2_DRAW_04_A0101_DRAWINGS_1
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to an electrolytic production process for inorganic compounds or nonmetals, and particularly to a process for producing hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis of water. Prior Technology
[0002] Water electrolysis uses electrical energy to break down water into hydrogen and oxygen. Oxygen is generated at the anode, and hydrogen is generated at the cathode. Using water electrolysis to produce hydrogen is considered a clean and renewable method of hydrogen production.
[0003] Water has poor electrical conductivity, so alkaline electrolytes (such as KOH and NaOH) or acidic electrolytes (such as H₂SO₄) are added to increase its conductivity, thereby reducing the external voltage required to drive electrolysis and improving electrolysis efficiency.
[0004] If an electrolysis technology were developed that could decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen with lower energy consumption, it would be expected to significantly reduce the cost of hydrogen production. Summary of the Invention
[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a more energy-efficient method for producing gas through electrolysis.
[0006] Therefore, the method for producing gas by electrolysis according to the present invention comprises: adding poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) to an alkaline electrolyte aqueous solution to obtain an electrolyte, wherein the content of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) in the electrolyte, which is in the range of 10-4 wt% to 10-1 wt% in a total amount of 100 wt%; placing a cathode and an anode in the electrolyte and arranging them alternately, and electrically connecting the cathode and the anode to a power source; and applying a DC voltage to the cathode and the anode with the power source, such that a reduction reaction of the electrolyte occurs at the cathode to produce hydrogen gas, and an oxidation reaction of the electrolyte occurs at the anode to produce oxygen gas.
[0007] The advantages of this invention are: the electrolytic gas generation method uses poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) with a content of 10-4wt% to 10-1wt%, and the electrolytic generation of hydrogen and oxygen has low energy consumption and high efficiency.
[0008] In some embodiments of the electrolytic gas generation method of the present invention, the content of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) in the electrolyte is 10-1 wt% of a total volume of 100 wt%.
[0009] In some embodiments of the electrolytic gas generation method of the present invention, the content of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) in the electrolyte is 10-2 wt% of a total of 100 wt%.
[0010] In some embodiments of the electrolytic gas generation method of the present invention, the content of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) in the electrolyte is 10-4 wt% of a total of 100 wt%.
[0011] In some embodiments of the electrolytic gas generation method of the present invention, the alkaline electrolyte aqueous solution includes water and an alkaline electrolyte.
[0012] In some embodiments of the electrolytic gas production method of the present invention, the alkaline electrolyte is selected from at least one of the group consisting of potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. The type of alkaline electrolyte is not limited to those described above; other equivalent alkaline electrolytes are also suitable for preparing the electrolyte.
[0013] In some embodiments of the electrolytic gas generation method of the present invention, the concentration of the alkaline electrolyte in the aqueous solution ranges from 0.1 M to 1 M.
[0014] In some embodiments of the electrolytic gas generation method of the present invention, the concentration of the alkaline electrolyte in the aqueous solution is 0.1 M. The 0.1 M concentration of the alkaline electrolyte in the aqueous solution allows for a more uniform dispersion of the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) in the aqueous solution.
[0015] In some embodiments of the electrolytic gas generation method of the present invention, the cathode is a porous conductor. In some specific embodiments, the porous conductor is nickel foam. The type of cathode is not limited to the above, and other equivalent cathodes are also suitable for carrying out the reduction reaction of the electrolyte.
[0016] In some embodiments of the electrolytic gas generation method of the present invention, the anode is an inert conductor. In some specific embodiments, the inert conductor is a platinum sheet. The type of anode is not limited to the above, and other equivalent anodes are also suitable for carrying out the oxidation reaction of the electrolyte. Simple Explanation of the Diagram
[0017] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a data graph of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 2 of the method for producing gas by electrolysis of the present invention. Implementation
[0018] The present invention will be further described with reference to the following embodiments, but it should be understood that the embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the implementation of the present invention.
[0019] [Example 1]
[0020] Potassium hydroxide was dissolved in deionized water to prepare an alkaline electrolyte aqueous solution, in which the concentration of potassium hydroxide was 0.1M.
[0021] 0.1 g of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (abbreviated as PEDOT:PSS, source: Dali Polymer Industry Co., Ltd., model: CP-WL0A) was added to 99.9 g of the alkaline electrolyte aqueous solution to form an electrolyte. Based on a total electrolyte volume of 100 wt%, the content of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) was 10-1 wt%.
[0022] A nickel foam is used as a cathode, a platinum sheet is used as an anode, and a mercury oxide electrode is used as a reference electrode. The reference electrode, the cathode, and the anode are placed in the electrolyte and arranged at intervals between each other. The cathode and the anode are electrically connected to a power source, and the reference electrode is electrically connected to an electrochemical measuring instrument (brand: CH Instrument (USA), model: CHI704E).
[0023] In an environment of 25°C, a DC voltage ranging from 1.3 volts to 1.75 volts was applied to the cathode and the anode using the power supply, causing a reduction reaction of the electrolyte at the cathode to produce hydrogen gas and an oxidation reaction of the electrolyte at the anode to produce oxygen gas. The current density (unit mA / cm2) was measured using the reference electrode and the electrochemical measuring instrument. The results are shown in Figure 1.
[0024] [Examples 2 and 3]
[0025] Examples 2 and 3 were performed using similar procedures to Example 1, but with variations in the amounts of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) and the alkaline electrolyte aqueous solution. This resulted in the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) content in the 100 wt% electrolyte prepared in Example 2 being 10-2 wt%, and the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) content in the 100 wt% electrolyte prepared in Example 3 being 10-4 wt%. The results of Examples 2 and 3 are shown in Figure 1.
[0026] [Comparative Example 1]
[0027] Potassium hydroxide was dissolved in deionized water to prepare an alkaline electrolyte aqueous solution, in which the concentration of potassium hydroxide was 0.1M.
[0028] A nickel foam is used as a cathode, a platinum sheet as an anode, a mercury oxide electrode as a reference electrode, and an alkaline electrolyte aqueous solution is used directly as an electrolyte. The reference electrode, the cathode, and the anode are placed in the alkaline electrolyte aqueous solution and arranged alternately with each other. The cathode and the anode are electrically connected to a power source, and the reference electrode is electrically connected to an electrochemical measuring instrument.
[0029] In an environment of 25°C, a DC voltage ranging from 1.3 volts to 1.75 volts was applied to the cathode and the anode using the power supply, causing a reduction reaction of the electrolyte at the cathode to produce hydrogen gas and an oxidation reaction of the electrolyte at the anode to produce oxygen gas. The current density (unit mA / cm2) was measured using the reference electrode and the electrochemical measuring instrument. The results are shown in Figure 1.
[0030] [Comparative Example 2]
[0031] Comparative Example 2 was performed using similar procedures to Example 1, but the amounts of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) and the alkaline electrolyte aqueous solution were changed so that the content of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) in the 100 wt% electrolyte prepared in Comparative Example 2 was 1.0 wt%. The results of Comparative Example 2 are shown in Figure 1.
[0032] Referring to Figure 1, the DC voltage required to achieve a current density of 10 mA / cm² in Example 1 is 1.699 volts, in Example 2 it is 1.702 volts, in Example 3 it is 1.703 volts, in Comparative Example 1 it is 1.737 volts, and in Comparative Example 2 the current density produced is almost 0 mA / cm² in the range of 1.3 volts to 1.75 volts. This shows that compared to Comparative Example 1 without the addition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid), Examples 1 to 3 with the addition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) require lower DC voltages. In Examples 1 to 3, the electrolyte can be electrolyzed with lower energy, indicating that the electrolysis gas generation method in Examples 1 to 3 is more efficient. Comparative Example 2 shows that when the amount of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) added is as high as 1.0 wt%, it is difficult for the electrolyte to be electrolyzed.
[0033] In summary, the electrolytic gas generation method of the present invention, through the addition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid), provides an electrolyte with high conductivity. Furthermore, when the concentration of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) in the electrolyte is between 10⁻⁴ wt% and 10⁻¹ wt%, it effectively promotes water decomposition. The energy required for the electrolysis to produce hydrogen and oxygen is low, resulting in high efficiency in hydrogen and oxygen generation. Moreover, the use of an electrolyte containing poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) ensures stable conductivity and low corrosivity to electrolysis equipment (e.g., but not limited to electrodes, electrolytic cells, separators, etc.). Therefore, the objective of the present invention is indeed achieved.
[0034] However, the above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention.
Claims
1. A method for electrolytic gas generation, comprising: adding poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) to an alkaline electrolyte aqueous solution to obtain an electrolyte, wherein the content of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) in the electrolyte, which comprises 100 wt% of total volume, ranges from 10-4 wt% to 10-1 wt%; placing a cathode and an anode in the electrolyte and arranging them at intervals, and electrically connecting the cathode and the anode to a power source; and applying a DC voltage to the cathode and the anode with the power source, such that a reduction reaction of the electrolyte occurs at the cathode to generate hydrogen gas, and an oxidation reaction of the electrolyte occurs at the anode to generate oxygen gas.
2. The method for producing gas by electrolysis as described in claim 1, wherein, In the electrolyte, which is 100 wt% in total, the content of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) is 10-1 wt%.
3. The method for producing gas by electrolysis as described in claim 1, wherein, In this electrolyte with a total volume of 100 wt%, the content of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) is 10-2 wt%.
4. The method for producing gas by electrolysis as described in claim 1, wherein, In this electrolyte with a total volume of 100 wt%, the content of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) is 10-4 wt%.
5. The method for producing gas by electrolysis as described in claim 1, wherein, This alkaline electrolyte aqueous solution includes water and an alkaline electrolyte.
6. The method for producing gas by electrolysis as described in claim 5, wherein, The alkaline electrolyte is selected from at least one of the groups consisting of potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide.
7. The method for producing gas by electrolysis as described in claim 5, wherein, In this alkaline electrolyte aqueous solution, the concentration range of the alkaline electrolyte is 0.1M to 1M.
8. The method for producing gas by electrolysis as described in claim 7, wherein, In the aqueous solution of the alkaline electrolyte, the concentration of the alkaline electrolyte is 0.1M.
9. The method for producing gas by electrolysis as described in claim 1, wherein, The cathode is a porous conductor.
10. The method for producing gas by electrolysis as described in claim 1, wherein, The anode is an inert conductor.