AEM water electrolysis electrode and water electrolysis device

Abstract

The utility model provides an AEM water electrolysis electrode and a water electrolysis device. The AEM water electrolysis electrode comprises a catalyst carrier, the catalyst is formed on the catalyst carrier; the gas dredging channel is arranged on the catalyst carrier, and at least part of the surface of the catalyst carrier is exposed through the gas dredging channel. The water electrolysis electrode provided by the utility model can be applied to a water electrolysis device, and has the advantages of high catalytic activity and low energy consumption.

Description

[0001] This patent is a divisional application of patent number 2023236340871, application date December 28, 2023, and invention name "A water electrolysis electrode and water electrolysis device". Technical Field

[0002] The utility model relates to the technical field of hydrogen production by electrolysis of water, and in particular to an AEM water electrolysis electrode and a water electrolysis device. Background Art

[0003] Currently, mankind is facing severe energy problems and environmental challenges, including the increasing demand for energy resources due to the increase in global population, global warming and climate change, and serious industrial pollution.

[0004] Compared with the large amount of greenhouse gases produced by the combustion of carbon in organic fossil fuels, hydrogen is considered to be the most promising energy carrier. Its combustion product is only water, and its energy density can be more than three times that of gasoline. The conversion between water and hydrogen can greatly solve the energy crisis and environmental pollution problems at the same time. Among the methods of hydrogen preparation, electrochemical water decomposition can achieve a stable and green conversion from electrical energy to chemical energy, but the low hydrogen energy conversion efficiency seriously restricts the industrialization process of water electrolysis to produce hydrogen. In addition, in actual electrolysis, precious metal electrocatalysts are usually required to reduce the activation energy barrier involved in water decomposition.

[0005] However, traditionally prepared catalysts show poor stability in industrial electrolyzers. Utility Model Content

[0006] The utility model provides a water electrolysis electrode and a water electrolysis device, which are used to solve the problems of low catalytic activity, high energy consumption, difficulty in large-scale preparation and poor stability of catalysts in the prior art, improve catalytic activity, reduce energy consumption and improve catalytic stability.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the utility model is implemented through the following technical solutions.

[0008] The utility model provides an AEM water electrolysis electrode, comprising

[0009] Anion exchange membrane;

[0010] a catalyst formed on the catalyst carrier; and

[0011] The gas dredging channel is arranged on the anion exchange membrane, and at least a part of the surface of the catalyst carrier is exposed through the gas dredging channel.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas dredging channel divides the catalyst on the catalyst carrier into a plurality of areas.

[0013] In one embodiment of the utility model, the gas dredging channel is rectangular, square, curved or intersecting at fixed points.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the anion exchange membrane is square or circular.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the catalyst has a microstructure of nanowires or nanochains.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the nanowire or nanochain is 0.1-2.0 μm, and the length is 0.1-200 μm.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the catalyst includes nanoparticles, and the nanoparticles constitute the microstructure of the nanowires or nanochains.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the catalyst comprises nanosheets, and the nanosheets are coated on the nanowires or nanochains.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the catalyst is distributed on the catalyst carrier in a grid-like manner, and the length or width of the grid-like catalyst is 1 to 100 cm.

[0020] The utility model also provides a water electrolysis device, comprising the AEM water electrolysis electrode described above.

[0021] In summary, the utility model proposes an AEM water electrolysis electrode and a water electrolysis device, which can accelerate the diffusion and transmission of the gas generated by electrolysis to improve the electrolysis efficiency of water. The large sheet is divided into several small sheets through the gas dredging channel, so that the surface of the obtained anion exchange membrane presents a grid-like catalyst, and ensures that the formed catalyst maintains uniformity, is simple to operate, has high efficiency, and the catalyst is evenly distributed on the water electrolysis electrode, and the product quality is high. The utility model water electrolysis electrode is used in a water electrolysis device, and has higher catalytic activity, lower energy consumption, and better stability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the utility model, the drawings required for describing the embodiments are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0023] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the distribution of water electrolysis electrodes in one embodiment of the utility model.

[0024] Figure 2Schematic diagram of the distribution of water electrolysis electrodes in another embodiment of the utility model.

[0025] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the distribution of water electrolysis electrodes in another embodiment of the utility model.

[0026] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the distribution of water electrolysis electrodes in another embodiment of the utility model.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a SEM image of the catalyst on the water electrolysis electrode in one embodiment of the utility model.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a SEM image of the catalyst on the water electrolysis electrode in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a performance comparison diagram of the water electrolysis electrode in one embodiment of the utility model and the traditional alkaline electrode sheet.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a comparison chart of electrochemical test results of the water electrolysis electrode in one embodiment of the utility model and the traditional alkaline electrode sheet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following is an explanation of the implementation of the present invention through specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific implementations, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0032] It should be understood that the utility model can be implemented in different forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments proposed herein. On the contrary, providing these embodiments will make the disclosure thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the utility model to those skilled in the art.

[0033] The technical solution of the utility model is further described in detail below in conjunction with several embodiments and drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, the utility model provides a water electrolysis electrode, including a catalyst carrier 10, a catalyst 20, and a gas dredging channel 30, etc., wherein the catalyst 20 is, for example, vertically and orderly grown on the catalyst carrier 10, and the gas dredging channel 30 is formed on the catalyst carrier 10, and the gas dredging channel 30 divides the catalyst 20 on the catalyst carrier 10 into a plurality of regions. Among them, the catalyst carrier 10 is used to carry the catalyst 20, and the catalyst 20 is used to catalyze the electrolysis of water, and the gas dredging channel 30 is, for example, a catalyst carrier 10 without a catalyst, and a portion of the surface of the catalyst carrier 10 is exposed, and is used to quickly diffuse and transmit the gas generated by electrolysis to improve the electrolysis efficiency of water.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the surface shape of the catalyst carrier 10 is, for example, square or circular. In another embodiment of the present invention, the catalyst carrier 10 is, for example, any other suitable shape. The catalyst carrier 10 is, for example, any porous layer of nickel foam, nickel mesh or carbon cloth for diffusing gas. In one embodiment of the present invention, the area of ​​the catalyst carrier 10 is, for example, greater than or equal to 0.5 m 2 In another embodiment of the present invention, the area of ​​the catalyst carrier 10 is, for example, greater than or equal to 1.0 m 2 In another embodiment of the present invention, the area of ​​the catalyst carrier 10 is, for example, 0.1 to 5.0 m 2 .

[0036] However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the catalyst carrier 10 may also be a membrane layer, such as a diaphragm, a proton exchange membrane, or an anion exchange membrane. In this case, the catalyst carrier 10 having the catalyst 20 may serve as a membrane electrode.

[0037] In one embodiment, the catalyst 20 and the gas dredging channel 30 may be formed only on one side of the catalyst carrier 10, such as a side close to or far from the center of the electrolytic cell (membrane layer position). However, it is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the catalyst 20 and the gas dredging channel 30 may also be formed on opposite sides of the catalyst carrier 10.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, in one embodiment of the utility model, the gas dredging channel 30 is distributed on the catalyst carrier 10 in a rectangular, square, curved or intersecting shape, for example, wherein the fixed point is, for example, the center of the catalyst carrier. That is, the gas dredging channel 30 is distributed on the catalyst carrier 10 in a grid-like, scattered or curved shape, for example. In one embodiment of the utility model, the catalyst 10 loaded on the catalyst carrier 10 is distributed in a grid-like shape, for example, dividing the catalyst 20 into a plurality of grid-like areas, and the grid length or width of the grid-like catalyst loaded on the catalyst carrier 10 is, for example, 1 to 100 cm, and for example, 5 to 30 cm. In one embodiment of the utility model, the width of the gas dredging channel 30 is, for example, 0.1 to 5 cm.

[0039] like Figure 5 to Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment of the utility model, the catalyst 20 is, for example, a nickel-iron-based multi-element alloy, and the nickel-iron-based multi-element alloy has an ordered nanowire or nanochain microstructure, etc., wherein the diameter of the nanowire or nanochain is, for example, 0.1-2.0 μm, and the length is 0.1-200 μm. In one embodiment of the utility model, the catalyst 20, for example, includes the following components in mass percentage: 70% to 95% Ni, 4.98% to 14.98% Fe, and the rest are precious metals or transition metals, and the precious metals or transition metals are at least one of platinum, ruthenium or molybdenum. In another embodiment of the utility model, the catalyst 20, for example, includes the following components in mass percentage: 85% to 95% Ni, 0.02% to 10.2% of at least one of platinum, ruthenium or molybdenum, and 4.98% to 14.98% Fe.

[0040] like Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the microscopic morphology of the catalyst 20 is nanowires, and the diameter of the nanowires is 0.1-1.2 μm, and the length of the nanowires is 0.1-100 μm. The nanowires include a first part and a second part, the first part is a skeleton part, the skeleton part includes nickel-platinum nanowires composed of nanoparticles "stacked", and the length is 0.1-0.6 μm, and the second part includes, for example, honeycomb nanowires assembled from nickel-iron nanosheets based on the skeleton part, and the length is 0.1-100 μm.

[0041] like Figure 5 to Figure 6 As shown, the water electrolysis electrode of a specific embodiment of the present application is observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the Figure 5 and Figure 6 The scanning electron microscope image shown. Figure 5It can be seen that the microscopic morphology of the catalyst on the water electrolysis electrode in this embodiment is: the nanowires grow vertically on the substrate material, and are formed by "stacking" nanoparticles, with a wire diameter of about 0.1 to 0.6 μm and a length of 0.1 μm to 100 μm. Figure 6 It can be seen that the microscopic morphology of the catalyst of this embodiment is: the formed platinum-nickel-iron nanowires grow vertically on the catalyst carrier, the wire diameter of the platinum-nickel-iron nanowires is 0.1-1.2 μm, and the platinum-nickel-iron nanowires include a first part and a second part. The first part is a skeleton part, and the skeleton part includes 0.1-0.6 μm nanowires or nanochains "stacked" by nanoparticles, and the second part is a honeycomb nanowire assembled by nanosheets based on the skeleton part, for example, and the length of the nanowire is, for example, 0.1 μm to 100 μm.

[0042] like Figure 7 As shown, the water electrolysis electrode of the embodiment of the present application is assembled into an electrolytic cell with a diaphragm and a plate, and a working condition test is performed to compare the performance of the water electrolysis electrode of the embodiment of the present application with that of a traditional alkaline electrode sheet, which is, for example, a "nickel mesh + Raney nickel plating" structure. Figure 7 It can be seen that, for example, by using an electrochemical test method to compare the performance of the water electrolysis electrode of this embodiment with that of a traditional alkaline electrode sheet, the current density of the water electrolysis electrode of this embodiment can reach up to 11000A / m at 2.0V. 2 , which is significantly better than traditional alkaline electrodes.

[0043] like Figure 8 As shown, the electrochemical activity of the water electrolysis electrode of the embodiment is compared with that of a conventional alkaline electrode sheet, and the conventional alkaline electrode sheet is, for example, a "nickel mesh + Raney nickel plating" structure. The electrochemical activity of the water electrolysis electrode of the present embodiment is significantly better than that of the conventional alkaline electrode sheet, and the η10 oxygen evolution overpotential is 231 mV for the water electrolysis electrode of the present embodiment, and 302 mV for Raney nickel.

[0044] It is worth mentioning that Figure 7 and Figure 8 The water electrolysis electrode is used in an alkaline solution electrolyzer, but is not limited to this. The water electrolysis electrode of the present application can also be used in electrolyzers with other catalyst electrodes, such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, anion exchange membrane (AEM), solid oxide (SOEC) or other electrolyzers using catalyst electrodes.

[0045] In summary, the utility model proposes a water electrolysis electrode and a water electrolysis device, which are used to quickly diffuse and transmit the gas generated by electrolysis during the electrolysis process by setting a gas dredging channel to improve the water electrolysis efficiency. The large sheet is divided into several small sheets through the gas dredging channel, so that the surface of the obtained catalyst carrier presents a grid-like catalyst, and ensures that the formed catalyst maintains uniformity, is simple to operate, has high efficiency, and the catalyst is evenly distributed on the electrode, and the product quality is high. The utility model water electrolysis electrode is used in a water electrolysis device, and has higher catalytic activity, lower energy consumption, and better stability.

[0046] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone familiar with the technology may modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in the present invention shall still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An AEM water electrolysis electrode, characterized in that: include Anion exchange membrane; a catalyst formed on the anion exchange membrane; as well as The gas dredging channel is arranged on the anion exchange membrane, and at least a part of the surface of the anion exchange membrane is exposed through the gas dredging channel.

2. The AEM water electrolysis electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas passage divides the catalyst on the anion exchange membrane into a plurality of regions.

3. The AEM water electrolysis electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas dredging channels are rectangular, square, curved or intersecting at fixed points.

4. The AEM water electrolysis electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anion exchange membrane is square or circular.

5. The AEM water electrolysis electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that: The catalyst has a microstructure of nanowires or nanochains.

6. The AEM water electrolysis electrode according to claim 5, characterized in that: The nanowire or nanochain has a diameter of 0.1 to 2.0 μm and a length of 0.1 to 200 μm.

7. The AEM water electrolysis electrode according to claim 5, characterized in that: The catalyst includes nanoparticles, and the nanoparticles constitute the microstructure of the nanowire or nanochain.

8. The AEM water electrolysis electrode according to claim 7, characterized in that: The catalyst comprises nanosheets, and the nanosheets are coated on the nanowires or nanochains.

9. The AEM water electrolysis electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that: The catalyst is distributed on the catalyst carrier in a grid-like manner, and the length or width of the grid-like catalyst is 1 to 100 cm.

10. A water electrolysis device, characterized in that: The invention comprises the AEM water electrolysis electrode as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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