AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment which comprises a first end plate and a second end plate, the at least two small reaction chambers are arranged between the first end plate and the second end plate; each group of small reaction chambers comprises a cathode current-conducting plate, a cathode gas diffusion layer, an AEM film layer, an anode gas diffusion layer, a photocatalyst layer and an anode current-conducting plate which are arranged in sequence; wherein the anode current-conducting plate comprises a light-transmitting current-conducting plate; a light source assembly is attached to the side face of the anode current-conducting plate. Light output by the light source assembly to the side edge of the anode current-conducting plate enters the anode current-conducting plate and is transmitted to the photocatalyst layer through the anode current-conducting plate. On the basis that the anode current-conducting plate in the AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment adopts the polar plate with light-transmitting and conductive functions, light can be guided into the anode current-conducting plate of each small reaction chamber, so that the working efficiency of the whole AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of AEM water electrolysis for hydrogen production, and particularly to an AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device. Background Art

[0002] As a clean and sustainable hydrogen production method, water electrolysis for hydrogen production has the characteristics of pollution-free and zero emissions, which helps to address global warming; through water electrolysis for hydrogen production, excess renewable energy electricity can be effectively stored, enhancing the flexibility of the power system. In addition, high-purity hydrogen can be directly applied to fuel cells and high-end chemical industries, reducing production costs.

[0003] Currently, the water electrolysis for hydrogen production technology mainly includes four mainstream technologies: alkaline, proton exchange membrane, anion exchange membrane, and solid oxide water electrolysis for hydrogen production. Referring to Figure 1 , for the anion exchange membrane water electrolysis for hydrogen production technology, also known as AEM (Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis) electrolysis technology, based on applying a voltage between the cathode plate and the anode plate, the reaction at the cathode is: , and the reaction at the anode is: ; the required at the anode is provided by the cathode reaction and needs to be transported through the catalyst layer and the anion exchange membrane to the catalyst sites of the anode layer.

[0004] The anion exchange membrane water electrolysis for hydrogen production technology combines the advantages of alkaline water electrolysis technology and PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) water electrolysis technology; compared with alkaline water electrolysis technology, AEM electrolysis technology has a faster response speed and a higher current density; while compared with PEM water electrolysis technology, AEM electrolysis technology has a lower manufacturing cost.

[0005] Existing AEM electrolyzers mainly rely on pure electrocatalysis to drive reactions, with limited energy conversion efficiency; thus, the photo-assisted electrocatalysis technology emerged: through the synergistic effect of photo-generated hole-electron pairs of the semiconductor photoanode and the external electric field, the energy conversion efficiency of the AEM electrolyzer can be significantly improved. However, how to introduce light energy into the photocatalyst in the AEM electrolyzer is one of the key issues for the application of photo-assisted electrocatalysis technology in the AEM electrolyzer. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device that can achieve the introduction of light energy required by the photocatalyst corresponding to each anode plate in multiple compartments, thereby greatly improving the working efficiency of the device.

[0007] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device, including: a first end plate and a second end plate; at least two groups of reaction chambers arranged between the first end plate and the second end plate; each group of reaction chambers includes a cathode conductive plate, a cathode gas diffusion layer, an AEM membrane layer, an anode gas diffusion layer, a photocatalyst layer, and an anode conductive plate arranged in sequence; wherein, the anode conductive plate includes a light-transmitting conductive plate.

[0008] It further includes a light source assembly arranged on the side of the output end facing each anode conductive plate; the light source assembly is used to output light to the side of the anode conductive plate, so that the light is transmitted through the anode conductive plate and incident on the photocatalyst layer.

[0009] In an optional embodiment of the present application, the light source assembly includes a semiconductor light-emitting strip attached to the side of the anode conductive plate;

[0010] Or, the light source assembly includes a phosphor layer arranged on the side of the anode conductive plate;

[0011] Or, a light condensing element connected to a robotic arm, which is used to conduct and input natural light into the light-transmitting conductive plate through the side of the light-transmitting conductive plate; the robotic arm is used to control and adjust the angular position of the light condensing element.

[0012] In an optional embodiment of the present application, the side of the anode conductive plate is an inclined surface inclined toward the side away from the photocatalyst layer.

[0013] In an optional embodiment of the present application, the side of the light-transmitting conductive plate is a convex cylindrical curved surface.

[0014] In an optional embodiment of the present application, a reflective layer is provided on the surface of the light-transmitting conductive plate on the side away from the photocatalyst layer.

[0015] In an optional embodiment of the present application, a diffraction grating is provided on the side of the light-transmitting conductive plate for diffracting and coupling the light output by the light source assembly into the light-transmitting conductive plate.

[0016] In an optional embodiment of the present application, the cathode conductive plate and the anode conductive plate at the adjacent ends of two adjacent reaction chambers are integrally formed.

[0017] In an optional embodiment of the present application, a plurality of mutually parallel S-shaped fluid channels are provided on the surface of the light-transmitting conductive plate on the side attached to the photocatalyst layer;

[0018] A sealing rib is provided around the area where the S-shaped fluid channels are located on the anode conductive plate.

[0019] In an optional embodiment of the present application, the anode conductive plate in the reaction chamber closest to the first end plate and in contact with the first end plate further comprises an anode metal hanging ear connected to one end of the light-transmitting conductive plate;

[0020] The cathode conductive plate in the reaction chamber closest to the second end plate and in contact with the second end plate further comprises a cathode metal hanging ear;

[0021] The anode metal hanging ear and the cathode metal hanging ear are respectively used to be electrically connected to the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal of an external power source.

[0022] In an optional embodiment of the present application, in the anode conductive plate including the anode metal hook, the anode metal hook and the reflective layer on the light-transmitting conductive plate are integrally formed; wherein the reflective layer is arranged on the surface of the light-transmitting conductive plate facing away from the photocatalyst layer.

[0023] The present invention provides an AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device, comprising a first end plate and a second end plate; at least two groups of reaction chambers arranged between the first end plate and the second end plate; each group of reaction chambers comprises a cathode conductive plate, a cathode gas diffusion layer, an AEM membrane layer, an anode gas diffusion layer, a photocatalyst layer, and an anode conductive plate arranged in sequence; wherein the anode conductive plate comprises a light-transmitting conductive plate; and further comprising a light source assembly arranged at the side of each anode conductive plate at an output end; the light source assembly is used to output light to the side of the anode conductive plate so that the light is transmitted through the anode conductive plate and incident on the photocatalyst layer.

[0024] In the present application, on the basis of adopting an electrode plate with light-transmitting and conductive functions as the anode conductive plate in the AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment, the output end of the light source assembly is arranged opposite to the side of the anode conductive plate, so that the light output by the light source assembly can be introduced into the anode conductive plate through the side of the anode conductive plate, and because the photocatalyst layer is arranged in contact with the anode conductive plate, the light can be further transmitted to the photocatalyst layer through the anode conductive plate, so that the photocatalyst layer can realize light-assisted electrocatalysis technology, that is, to improve the catalytic reaction efficiency of the anode to a certain extent, thereby improving the AEM water electrolysis efficiency; on this basis, because the light source assembly inputs light from the side of the anode conductive plate, it can be achieved that the anode conductive plate of each chamber in the AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment with multiple reaction chambers is introduced with light, thereby improving the reaction water electrolysis efficiency of each chamber, thereby greatly improving the working efficiency of the entire AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the principle of the AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device;

[0027] Figure 2 It is an exploded structural schematic diagram of the AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the anode conductive plate provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 4 For Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the A-A cross-section in

[0030] Figure 5 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of the anode conductive plate provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0031] In the drawings, 11 is the first end plate, 12 is the second end plate, 2 is the reaction chamber, 21 is the anode conductive plate, 210 is the side surface, 211 is the S-shaped fluid channel, 212 is the cover plate, 213 is the anode metal hanging ear, 214 is the sealing convex line, 22 is the photocatalyst layer, 23 is the anode gas diffusion layer 23, 24 is the AEM membrane layer, 25 is the cathode gas diffusion layer, 26 is the cathode conductive plate, and 261 is the cathode metal hanging ear. Detailed implementation manners

[0032] In the current technology of using photo-assisted electrocatalysis technology to improve the working efficiency of AEM electrolyzers, in most cases, light guiding holes for introducing light are opened on the end plate located at the anode in the AEM electrolyzer, so as to realize the introduction of light into the anode plate and then conduct it to the photocatalyst layer through the anode plate. Although this method can realize the photo-assisted electrocatalysis technology, it also reduces the sealing performance of the end structure of the electrolyzer to a certain extent, and only one small chamber can be set in the electrolyzer, and the superposition use of multiple small chambers in the electrolyzer cannot be realized, resulting in limited improvement of the working efficiency of the electrolyzer.

[0033] Based on this, the present application provides an AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device, which can realize the introduction of the light energy required by the photocatalyst corresponding to each anode plate in multiple small chambers, thereby greatly improving the working efficiency of the device.

[0034] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0035] As Figures 2 to 4 shown, Figure 2 FIG. 1 is an exploded structural schematic diagram of an AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of an anode conductive plate provided by an embodiment of the present application; Figure 4 FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cross-section taken along line A-A in Figure 3 FIG. 1; Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a partial structural schematic diagram of an anode conductive plate provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] In a specific embodiment of the present application, the AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device may include:

[0037] a first end plate 11 and a second end plate 12; at least two groups of reaction chambers 2 disposed between the first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12; each group of reaction chambers 2 includes a cathode conductive plate 26, a cathode gas diffusion layer 25, an AEM membrane layer 24, an anode gas diffusion layer 23, a photocatalyst layer 22, and an anode conductive plate 21 arranged in sequence; wherein, the anode conductive plate 21 includes a light-transmitting conductive plate;

[0038] It further includes a light source assembly disposed on the side 210 of each anode conductive plate 21 facing the output end; the light source assembly is used to output light to the side of the anode conductive plate 21, so that the light is transmitted through the anode conductive plate 21 and incident on the photocatalyst layer 22.

[0039] In Figure 2 the shown embodiment, a schematic diagram of an AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device including 3 groups of reaction chambers 2 is shown. In practical applications, each group of reaction chambers 2 includes a complete set of structural components for implementing AEM electrolytic water technology. It can be understood that in Figure 2 the shown structure, only the main structural components in the AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device are shown. In practical applications, it should also include structures such as seals and sealing rings that can seal and package the respective structural layers of each reaction chamber 2 shown in Figure 2 FIG. 1. Details of this are not elaborated in the present application.

[0040] On this basis, each reaction chamber 2 includes a cathode conductive plate 26, a cathode gas diffusion layer 25, an AEM membrane layer 24, an anode gas diffusion layer 23, a photocatalyst layer 22, and an anode conductive plate 21 that are sequentially attached. Moreover, the photocatalyst layer 22 can be directly attached to the anode gas diffusion layer 23. In addition, a fluid channel is provided on the surface of the anode conductive plate 21 close to the photocatalyst layer 22, and a fluid channel is also provided on the surface of the cathode conductive plate 26 close to the cathode gas diffusion layer 25. Thus, in each reaction chamber 2, an alkaline electrolyte (which can be 1 mol / L KOH solution or 1 mol / L NaOH solution) can flow between the cathode conductive plate 26 and the anode conductive plate 21 in the same reaction chamber 2. At the same time, on the basis that the cathode conductive plate 26 and the anode conductive plate 21 are respectively connected to an external power supply device, a chemical reaction of water electrolysis for hydrogen production is realized.

[0041] As Figure 2 shown, in each reaction chamber 2, in the reaction chamber 2 closest to the first end plate 11, its anode conductive plate 21 is attached and connected to the first end plate 11. Therefore, this first end plate 11 is also the anode end plate. Correspondingly, in the reaction chamber closest to the second end plate, its cathode conductive plate 26 is attached to the second end plate 12, and this second end plate is the cathode end plate. During the actual operation of this AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device, the anode conductive plate 21 attached to the anode end plate and the cathode conductive plate 26 attached to the cathode end plate respectively need to be electrically connected to the positive and negative electrodes of an external power supply to provide the current required for water electrolysis hydrogen production for each reaction chamber 2. For this purpose, the anode conductive plate 21 and the cathode conductive plate 26 respectively attached to the first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12 in the two reaction chambers 2 at both ends should also respectively have an anode metal lug 213 and a cathode metal lug 261. The anode metal lug 21 is located at the end of the light-transmitting conductive plate and extends outward relative to other plate-like structures to ensure that it is as convenient as possible to be electrically connected to an external power supply. Similarly, the cathode metal lug 261 is also located at the end of the anode conductive plate 26. In addition, hanging holes are provided on both the anode metal lug 213 and the cathode metal lug 261, which can realize the hook-and-fix connection of the anode conductive plate 21 and the cathode conductive plate 26.

[0042] In addition, in order to implement the photo-assisted electrocatalysis technology, the photocatalyst layer 22 in this embodiment is a catalyst that can catalyze the water electrolysis reaction under both the conditions of being powered on and illuminated, and the photocatalyst layer 22 efficiently catalyzes the anodic oxygen evolution reaction under the conditions of being powered on and illuminated simultaneously.

[0043] To this end, in this embodiment, in order to further introduce light energy onto the photocatalyst layer 22 in the reaction chamber 2, the anode conductive plate 21 is further made of a light-transmitting conductive plate having light-transmitting and conductive functions, and a light source assembly is provided on the side surface 210 of the light-transmitting conductive plate, so that the light source assembly can input light from the side surface 210 of the light-transmitting conductive plate, and the light is incident on the photocatalyst layer 22 through the transmission of the light-transmitting conductive plate.

[0044] In practical applications, the anode conductive plate 21 in this embodiment can specifically adopt a conductive glass plate, an ITO structure layer, an FTO structure layer, etc. In short, as long as it can conduct electricity and transmit light at the same time. On this basis, the output end of the light source assembly can be arranged facing the side surface 210 of the conductive glass plate, that is, the light source assembly can input light into the conductive glass plate, and the light can be incident on the photocatalyst layer 22 that is in contact with the conductive glass plate through the conduction of the conductive glass plate. The conductive glass plate is also connected to the positive electrode of an external power source, that is, the conductive glass plate and the photocatalyst in contact with it are both in a state of light irradiation and conduction, that is, photo-assisted electrocatalysis is realized at the anode of the reaction chamber 2, ensuring high-efficiency oxygen evolution in the reaction chamber 2.

[0045] Based on the above discussion, since in each group of reaction chambers 2 of this application, light is introduced from the side surface 210 of the anode conductive plate 21. Compared with introducing light through a light guide hole opened on the outermost end plate, where light can only be introduced into the anode on one side close to the end plate to realize photo-assisted electrocatalysis technology, in this application, multiple groups of reaction chambers 2 can be stacked and used in the same AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device, and light can be independently introduced into the side of the anode conductive plate 21 in each group of reaction chambers 2, thereby greatly improving the overall catalytic efficiency and hydrogen production efficiency of the AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device.

[0046] In addition, the light source assembly for outputting light into the anode conductive plate 21 can have a variety of different implementation forms. For example, the light source assembly can be a semiconductor light-emitting strip directly attached to the side surface 210 of the anode conductive plate 21, that is, an LED light-emitting strip or a laser light-emitting strip. It can be understood that the side surface 210 of the anode conductive plate 21 is a relatively long and narrow surface, so the semiconductor light-emitting strip can be well adapted to be installed on the side surface 210 of the anode conductive plate 21, with a simple implementation method and high light energy utilization rate.

[0047] For example, the light source assembly may further include a phosphor layer disposed on the side 210 of the anode conductive plate 21. The phosphor layer may be capable of being excited by visible light or ultraviolet light. In addition, the source of the excitation light for the phosphor layer in this embodiment may be sunlight in the environment, that is, sunlight is used to excite and illuminate the phosphor layer, so that the phosphor layer is excited to generate fluorescence and is conducted to the photocatalyst layer 22 through the anode conductive plate 21. Of course, in practical applications, the light source assembly may further include an excitation light source configured for the phosphor layer, and the excitation light is output to the phosphor layer through the excitation light source, so that the phosphor layer is excited to generate fluorescent light, which can also realize the technical solution in the present application.

[0048] For example, the light source assembly in this embodiment is only a focusing element that modulates the angle and concentration of sunlight and transmits it to the side 210 of the anode conductive plate 21; specifically, the focusing element can be a cylindrical focusing lens, so that the sunlight irradiated on the cylindrical focusing lens is concentrated into a beam of line light (that is, the light spot is a roughly linear light spot), and on this basis, the cylindrical focusing lens can also be connected to a mechanical arm, so that when the angle of sunlight irradiation changes with time, the mechanical arm can adjust the position of the focusing lens accordingly, so as to ensure that the sunlight can be concentrated and transmitted to the side 210 of the anode conductive plate 21 to the greatest extent. Of course, the focusing element can also be a reflective focusing element, or a combination of multiple different lenses and reflectors, as long as it can ultimately achieve the focusing of sunlight and transmit it to the side 210 of the anode conductive plate 21.

[0049] In addition, the light source assembly in the present application may also include a phosphor layer and a focusing element at the same time, that is, the sunlight is focused by the focusing element and transmitted to the phosphor layer, so that the phosphor layer generates fluorescence that is incident on the anode conductive plate 21, and then the fluorescence is transmitted to the photocatalyst layer 22, and finally the technical solution of the present application can be realized.

[0050] In addition, the light source assembly in the present application may also include an illumination light source and a focusing element at the same time. In sunny daytime, the focusing element can be used to focus and transmit sunlight to the anode conductive plate 21. In rainy weather or at night, a surface light source can be used to input light to the anode conductive plate 21, which can also realize the technical solution in the present application.

[0051] Based on the above embodiments, Figures 2 to 4 As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present application, the side surface 210 of the anode conductive plate 21 may also be an inclined surface inclined toward a side away from the photocatalyst layer 22 .

[0052] exist Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, the dashed line with an arrow shows the transmission path of the light introduced into the anode conductive plate 21 .

[0053] For the anode conductive plate 21 with a roughly rectangular structure, at least the side surfaces 210 on both sides are inclined surfaces, and the side surfaces 210 corresponding to three side edges can also be set as inclined surfaces, and the remaining side edge is the side edge connected to the external power supply; and the light source component should input light to each inclined surface to ensure that enough light is introduced into the anode conductive plate 21.

[0054] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of mutually parallel S-shaped fluid channels 211 are arranged on the surface of the anode conductive plate 21 facing the photocatalyst layer 22, and each S-shaped fluid channel 211 is a strip groove extending in an S shape. Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, an inlet area and an outlet area covered with a cover plate 212 are provided at both ends of the S-shaped fluid channel 211, that is, the area where the alkaline electrolyte flows into and out of each S-shaped fluid channel 211. The alkaline electrolyte flows in the S-shaped fluid channel 211, thereby providing oxygen evolution reaction at the anode. Accordingly, the side surface 210 of the anode conductive plate 21 is tilted away from the side of the S-shaped fluid channel 211, so that when the light output by the light source assembly is incident on the inclined surface of the anode conductive plate 21, the light is refracted by the inclined surface and can be incident on the side surface of the anode conductive plate 21 where the S-shaped fluid channel 211 is arranged, and then is incident on the photocatalyst layer 22 through the surface.

[0055] It can be understood that a reflective layer can be provided on the area surrounding the edge of the S-type fluid channel 211 on the anode conductive plate 21, and on the surface of the anode conductive plate 21 on the side facing away from the S-type fluid channel 211. Therefore, when a part of the light output by the light source assembly is incident on the edge area of the S-type fluid channel 211 in the anode conductive plate 21, it can be reflected once by the edge area, and then reflected twice by the surface of the anode conductive plate 21 on the side facing away from the S-type fluid channel 211, and finally incident on the interface of the area where the S-type fluid channel 211 is located, and is guided out of the anode conductive plate 21 to be incident on the photocatalyst layer 22.

[0056] In addition, as described above, the anode conductive plate 21 bonded to the first end plate 12 has an anode metal hanger 213 connected to the end plate of the transparent conductive plate. In practical applications, the anode metal hanger 213 and the reflective layer on the transparent conductive plate can be integrally formed.

[0057] In practical applications, in order to ensure that light can smoothly exit from the area of the anode conductive plate 21 where the S-shaped fluid channels 211 are provided and be incident on the photocatalyst layer 22, a grating structure can be formed at the bottom of the groove of each S-shaped fluid channel 211, so that when light is incident on the groove body of each S-shaped fluid channel 211, it is coupled out from the anode conductive plate 21 due to the diffraction of the grating structure, and then passes through the alkaline electrolyte and is incident on the photocatalyst layer 22.

[0058] Further optionally, in order to improve the incident efficiency of the light output by the light source assembly passing through the side surface 210 of the anode conductive plate 21, the side surface 210 of the anode conductive plate 21 can also be set as a convex cylindrical curved surface, so that the side surface 210 of the anode conductive plate 21 is equivalent to a cylindrical convex lens, thereby maximizing the convergence of external light into the anode conductive plate 21 and improving the efficiency of light being introduced into the anode conductive plate 21.

[0059] As Figure 4 shown, in Figure 4 two different side surfaces 210 of the anode conductive plate 21 are shown. Of course, whether the side surface 210 of the anode conductive plate 21 in this application is a flat inclined surface or a convex cylindrical inclined curved surface, a grating element and / or an antireflection film can be further formed on the side surface 210. In short, as long as the efficiency of light incident on the anode conductive plate 21 can be improved to a certain extent.

[0060] Based on any of the above embodiments, as Figure 2 shown, in the AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device, one end where two adjacent reaction chambers 2 are adjacent is the anode conductive plate 21 of one reaction chamber 2 adjacent to the cathode conductive plate 26 of another reaction chamber 2. In an optional embodiment of the present application, the anode conductive plate 21 of one reaction chamber 2 and the cathode conductive plate 26 of another reaction chamber 2 can be an integrally formed bipolar conductive plate 20.

[0061] In practical applications, between the adjacent anode conductive plate 21 and cathode conductive plate 26 in two adjacent reaction chambers 2, an integral structure can be formed by directly bonding them to each other, and a reflective layer can be provided between the anode conductive plate 21 and the cathode conductive plate 26.

[0062] In addition, a metal plate and a light-transmitting glass plate can also be bonded and connected to each other. Among them, during the actual water electrolysis hydrogen production process, the metal plate can perform the function of the cathode conductive plate 26, and the metal plate and the light-transmitting glass plate as a whole can perform the function of the anode conductive plate 21.

[0063] In addition, the cathode current collector plate 26 and the anode current collector plate 21 can also be integrally formed of the same material; the bipolar current collector plate 20 integrally formed of the same material is thicker than the single-piece cathode current collector plate 26 or the single-piece anode current collector plate 21, but thinner than twice the thickness of the single-piece cathode current collector plate 26 or the single-piece anode current collector plate 21. Thus, the bipolar current collector plate 20 can simplify the structure of the AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device having multiple reaction chambers 2 to a certain extent, making the entire device structure more concise and compact.

[0064] It can be understood that S-shaped fluid channels 211 should be provided on both surfaces of the bipolar current collector plate 20. The cathode fluid channel is provided on one surface, and the anode fluid channel is provided on the other surface. Moreover, the side surface 210 of the bipolar current collector plate 20 can be an inclined surface inclined towards the cathode fluid channel side.

[0065] In addition, as Figure 3 shown, in the AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device, structural components such as the cathode current collector plate 26, the cathode gas diffusion layer 25, the AEM membrane layer 24, the anode gas diffusion layer 23, the photocatalyst layer 22, and the anode current collector plate 21 need to be further sealed and fixed together through a sealing structure similar to a sealing ring. Therefore, in order to ensure the sealing performance of the direct connection between the anode current collector plate 21 and the seal, a sealing rib can also be provided around the area where the S-shaped fluid channel 211 is located on the anode current collector plate 21. The sealing rib can specifically be a corrugated rib, which can be sealed and connected by extrusion between the sealing rubber ring and the seal.

[0066] In summary, in the present application, on the basis of using a plate with light-transmitting and conductive functions as the anode current collector plate in the AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device, a light source assembly is also attached to the side surface of the anode current collector plate. Thus, the light output by the light source assembly can be introduced into the anode current collector plate through the side surface of the anode current collector plate. Since the photocatalyst layer is attached to the anode current collector plate, the light can further be conducted to the photocatalyst layer through the anode current collector plate, thereby enabling the photocatalyst layer to implement the photo-assisted electrocatalytic technology, that is, improving the catalytic reaction efficiency of the anode to a certain extent, and thus improving the AEM electrolytic water efficiency; on this basis, because the light source assembly inputs light from the side surface of the anode current collector plate, light can be introduced into the anode current collector plates of each chamber in the AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device having multiple reaction chambers, thereby improving the reaction electrolytic water efficiency of each chamber, and thus greatly improving the working efficiency of the entire AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device.

[0067] It should be noted that in this text, relational terms such as first and second are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the term "including", "comprising" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that the elements inherent in a process, method, article or device including a series of elements. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "including a..." does not exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the said element. In addition, the parts of the above technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application that are consistent with the corresponding technical solutions in the prior art in terms of implementation principles are not described in detail to avoid excessive elaboration.

[0068] In this article, specific examples are used to elaborate on the principles and implementation modes of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method of the present invention and its core idea. It should be pointed out that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the principles of the present invention, several improvements and modifications can be made to the present invention, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device, characterized in that, include: A first end plate and a second end plate; at least two groups of reaction chambers arranged between the first end plate and the second end plate; each group of the reaction chambers comprises a cathode conductive plate, a cathode gas diffusion layer, an AEM membrane layer, an anode gas diffusion layer, a photocatalyst layer, and an anode conductive plate arranged in sequence; wherein the anode conductive plate comprises a light-transmitting conductive plate; It also includes a light source assembly with an output end facing the side of each anode conductive plate; the light source assembly is used to output light to the side of the anode conductive plate so that the light is transmitted through the anode conductive plate and incident on the photocatalyst layer.

2. The AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light source assembly includes a semiconductor light-emitting strip disposed on the side of the anode conductive plate; Or, the light source assembly includes a phosphor layer disposed on a side surface of the anode conductive plate; Alternatively, a focusing element connected to a mechanical arm is used to conduct natural light through the side of the light-transmitting conductive plate and input it into the light-transmitting conductive plate; the mechanical arm is used to control and adjust the angular position of the focusing element.

3. The AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device according to claim 2, wherein, The side surface of the anode conductive plate is an inclined surface inclined toward a side away from the photocatalyst layer.

4. The AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The side surface of the light-transmitting conductive plate is an outwardly convex cylindrical curved surface.

5. The AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device according to claim 3, characterized in that, A reflective layer is disposed on a surface of the light-transmitting conductive plate on a side away from the photocatalyst layer.

6. The AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device according to claim 2, wherein, A diffraction grating is arranged on the side surface of the light-transmitting conductive plate, which is used to diffract and couple the light output by the light source assembly into the light-transmitting conductive plate.

7. The AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device according to claim 1, wherein The cathode conductive plate and the anode conductive plate at the adjacent ends of two adjacent reaction chambers are integrally formed.

8. The AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device according to claim 1, wherein, A plurality of S-shaped fluid channels arranged parallel to each other are provided on a surface of the light-transmitting conductive plate on one side of the surface adhering to the photocatalyst layer; A circle of sealing convex strips is arranged on the anode conductive plate around the area where the S-shaped fluid channel is located.

9. The AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anode conductive plate in the reaction chamber closest to the first end plate and in contact with the first end plate further comprises an anode metal hanging ear connected to one end of the light-transmitting conductive plate; The cathode conductive plate in the reaction chamber closest to the second end plate and in contact with the second end plate further comprises a cathode metal hanging ear; The anode metal hanging ear and the cathode metal hanging ear are respectively used to be electrically connected to the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal of an external power source.

10. The AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production device according to claim 9, characterized in that, In the anode conductive plate including the anode metal hanger, the anode metal hanger and the reflective layer on the light-transmitting conductive plate are integrally formed; wherein the reflective layer is arranged on the surface of the light-transmitting conductive plate away from the photocatalyst layer.

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