AEM water electrolysis catalyst and electrolytic bath

Abstract

The utility model provides an AEM electrolyzed water catalyst and an electrolytic bath, the AEM electrolyzed water catalyst comprises nanowire or nanochain microstructures which are orderly formed on a catalyst carrier; the nano-wire or nano-chain microstructure is formed by stacking the nano-particles, and the diameter of the nano-particles ranges from 5 nm to 500 nm. The water electrolysis catalyst provided by the utility model can be applied to a water electrolysis device, and the catalytic activity and the catalytic efficiency are improved.

Description

[0001] This patent is a divisional application of patent number 2023236341605, application date December 28, 2023, and invention name "A water electrolysis catalyst 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 catalyst and an electrolytic cell. Background Art

[0003] 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. Electrochemical water splitting can achieve a stable and green conversion from electrical energy to chemical energy, but the low hydrogen energy conversion efficiency seriously restricts the industrialization of water electrolysis to produce hydrogen. In addition, the traditionally prepared catalysts have poor stability in industrial electrolyzers. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model provides an AEM water electrolysis catalyst and an electrolytic cell, which can improve catalytic activity, reduce energy consumption, and improve the stability of the catalyst.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the utility model is implemented through the following technical solutions.

[0006] The utility model provides an AEM water electrolysis catalyst, comprising

[0007] Nanowire or nanochain microstructures are orderly formed on a catalyst support; and

[0008] Nanoparticles, the nanoparticles are stacked to form the nanowire or nanochain microstructure, wherein the diameter of the nanoparticles is 5nm to 500nm.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the catalyst includes a first part and a second part, and the second part is coated on the first part.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first portion has a wire diameter of 0.1-1.2 μm and a length of 0.1-0.6 μm.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the length of the second portion is 0.1-100 μm.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second part includes a nanosheet, and the nanosheet is coated on the first part.

[0013] 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.

[0014] In one embodiment of the utility model, the catalyst is distributed in a grid shape on the catalyst carrier, and the length or width of the grid-shaped catalyst is 1 to 100 cm.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the catalyst carrier is square or circular.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the catalyst grows vertically and orderly on the catalyst carrier.

[0017] The utility model also provides an AEM electrolytic cell, comprising the water electrolysis catalyst described above.

[0018] In summary, the utility model proposes an AEM water electrolysis catalyst and an electrolytic cell, which can improve the combination with the catalyst carrier, improve the catalytic activity and catalytic efficiency. The gas generated by electrolysis can be quickly diffused and transmitted to improve the electrolysis efficiency of water. The water electrolysis catalyst of the utility model is applied to the water electrolysis device, and the energy consumption is reduced and the stability is better. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] 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.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution of water electrolysis catalysts in one embodiment of the utility model.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a SEM image of the water electrolysis catalyst in one embodiment of the utility model.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a SEM image of a water electrolysis catalyst in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the distribution of the first part and the second part of the catalyst in one embodiment of the utility model.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a performance comparison diagram of the water electrolysis catalyst in one embodiment of the utility model and the traditional alkaline electrode sheet.

[0025] Figure 6This is a comparison chart of electrochemical test results of the water electrolysis catalyst in one embodiment of the utility model and the traditional alkaline electrode sheet.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a water electrolysis device in one embodiment of the utility model.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a water electrolysis device in another embodiment of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the present application provides a water electrolysis catalyst, 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 can divide 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. 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, which is used to quickly diffuse and transmit the gas generated by electrolysis to improve the electrolysis efficiency of water.

[0032] like Figure 1As shown, in one embodiment of the present application, the surface shape of the catalyst carrier 10 is, for example, square, circular or any shape. The catalyst carrier 10 is, for example, any porous layer or diffusion layer of nickel foam, nickel mesh or carbon cloth, for diffusing gas. In one embodiment of the present application, 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 application, 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 application, the area of ​​the catalyst carrier 10 is, for example, 0.1-5.0 m 2 In another embodiment of the present application, the catalyst carrier 10 is, for example, in any other suitable shape.

[0033] However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the catalyst carrier 10 may also be a membrane layer in an electrolytic cell, 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 be used as a membrane electrode of the electrolytic cell.

[0034] 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.

[0035] It is worth noting that the catalyst 20 of the present application can be formed on a single side or two opposite sides of the catalyst carrier 10 (porous material, diffusion layer, membrane layer, diaphragm, proton exchange membrane, anion exchange membrane or other carrier).

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of the present application, the gas dredging channel 30 is, for example, rectangular on the catalyst carrier 10. That is, the gas dredging channel 30 is, for example, distributed in a grid shape on the catalyst carrier 10, dividing the catalyst 10 loaded on the catalyst carrier 10 into a plurality of grid-shaped areas, and the grid length or width of the grid-shaped catalyst loaded on the catalyst carrier 10 is, for example, 1-100 cm, and another example is 5-30 cm. In one embodiment of the present application, the width of the gas dredging channel 30 is, for example, 0.1-5 cm.

[0037] like Figures 2 to 3As shown, in one embodiment of the present application, the catalyst 20 is, for example, a nickel alloy, a nickel-iron-based multi-element alloy or other alloy, and its microscopic features have 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 present application, the catalyst 20, for example, includes the following components in mass percentage: 70%-95% Ni, 4.98%-29.98% 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 present application, the catalyst 20, for example, includes the following components in mass percentage: 85%-95% Ni, 0.02%-10.2% of at least one of platinum, ruthenium or molybdenum, and 4.98%-14.98% Fe.

[0038] like Figures 2 to 3 As shown, in one embodiment of the present application, the microscopic morphology of the catalyst 20 may be a nanowire or a nanochain, and the diameter of the nanowire is, for example, 0.1-1.2 μm, and the length of the nanowire is, for example, 0.1-100 μm. Wherein, the nanowire includes a first part 201 and a second part 202, and the second part 202 is coated on the first part 201, and the second part 202, for example, includes a nanosheet structure coated on the first part 201. In one embodiment of the present application, the first part 201 is a skeleton part, and the skeleton part includes a nickel-platinum nanowire composed of nanoparticles "stacked" and having a length of 0.1-0.6 μm, and the second part 202 includes a honeycomb nanowire assembled from nickel-iron nanosheets based on the skeleton part, for example, with a length of 0.1-100 μm. In one embodiment of the present application, the diameter of the nanoparticles is, for example, 5nm-500nm.

[0039] It is worth noting that the nanowires or nanochains of the catalyst 20 can be formed on the carrier by an in-situ growth method. When the nanowires or nanochains are formed by the in-situ growth method, the metal ions in the original solution can be directly reduced on the carrier (porous layer or membrane layer) to form nanoparticles, and the reduced nanoparticles can be directly arranged in an orderly manner on the carrier to form nanowires or nanochains, thereby directly forming nanowires or nanochains on the carrier. Furthermore, by forming nanowires or nanochains by the in-situ growth method, the nanowires and the carrier (porous layer or membrane layer) can have a better bonding force, so that the catalyst 20 is more stably formed on the carrier (porous layer or membrane layer), and the nanoparticles with a specific size of the present application can form vertical nanowires or nanochains in an orderly manner, thereby improving the electrolysis efficiency of the catalyst.

[0040] like Figure 3 to Figure 4As shown, in one embodiment of the present application, the main component of the second part 202 is, for example, a nickel-iron nanosheet structure, and the second part 202 of the catalyst 20 can be, for example, coated on the first part 201 in a fish scale shape, that is, the thickness of the second part 202 is inconsistent with that of the first part 101, that is, there is a partial overlap between the nanosheet structures. In the present application, the catalyst is composed of nanoparticles to form nanowires, and the nanosheets are assembled based on the nanowires, which can improve the combination with the catalyst carrier and increase the contact area between the catalyst and water during the electrolysis of water, thereby improving the catalytic activity and catalytic efficiency.

[0041] It is worth noting that the second portion 202 at least partially covering the first portion 101 may also be in other shapes, such as granular or irregular shapes.

[0042] In some embodiments, the catalyst 20 may be an anode catalyst, in which case the catalyst 20 may include a first portion 201 and a second portion 202, wherein the first portion 201 may be a nanowire or nanochain composed of nanoparticles, and the second portion 202 may be a nanosheet structure and coated on the nanowire or nanochain of the first portion 201, wherein the main components of the first portion 201 and the second portion 202 may be different. For example, the main component of the first portion 201 is nickel (e.g., the component by mass percentage: 85% to 99.8% Ni, and the rest may be a noble metal or a transition metal), and the main components of the second portion 202 are nickel and iron (e.g., the component by mass percentage: 85% to 95% Ni, 4.98% to 14.98% Fe, and the rest may be a noble metal or a transition metal). When the catalyst 20 is disposed in an electrolytic cell, the catalyst 20 as an anode catalyst may include the first portion 201 and the second portion 202, and the main components of the first portion 201 and the second portion 202 may be different. At this time, the catalyst 20 as the cathode catalyst may include only the nanowires or nanochains of the first portion 201 .

[0043] However, it is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the catalyst 20 as the anode catalyst and the cathode catalyst may also only include the nanowires or nanochains of the first part 201 without covering the second part 202. In this case, the main components of the catalyst 20 as the anode catalyst and the cathode catalyst may be the same (for example, the components in terms of mass percentage: 70%-95% Ni, 4.98%-29.98% Fe, and the rest may be precious metals or transition metals) or different.

[0044] like Figures 2 to 3 As shown, the electrolytic water catalyst of a specific embodiment of the present application is observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the Figure 2 and Figure 3The scanning electron microscope image shown. Figure 2 It can be seen that the catalyst microstructure in the embodiment of the present application may have a nanowire or nanochain structure, which can be substantially vertically grown on the substrate material (catalyst carrier), and the nanowire or nanochain structure is formed by "stacking" nanoparticles, and the diameter of the nanowire is, for example, 0.1-0.6 μm, and the length of the nanowire is 0.1 μm to 100 μm. Figure 3 It can be seen that in one embodiment of the present application, the microscopic morphology of the catalyst 20 is: for example, platinum nickel iron nanowires grow vertically on the catalyst carrier, the wire diameter of the platinum nickel iron nanowires is 0.1-1.2μm, the platinum nickel iron nanowires include a first part and a second part, the first part is a skeleton part, the skeleton part includes 0.1-0.6μm nanowires or nanochains "stacked" by nanoparticles, and the second part is a nanowire assembled from nanosheets based on the skeleton part, such as a honeycomb or fish scale-shaped nanowire, and the length of the nanowire is, for example: 0.1μm to 100μm.

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown, the electrolytic water catalyst in the embodiment of the present application is assembled into an alkaline solution electrolytic cell with a diaphragm and an electrode plate, and a working condition test is performed to compare the performance of the electrolytic water catalyst in 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 5 It can be seen that, for example, by using an electrochemical test method to compare the performance of the electrolytic water catalyst of this embodiment with that of a traditional alkaline electrode sheet, the current density of the electrolytic water catalyst of this embodiment can reach up to 11000A / m at 2.0V. 2 , which is significantly better than traditional alkaline electrodes.

[0046] like Figure 6 As shown, the electrochemical activity of the electrolytic water catalyst in one embodiment of the present application 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 electrolytic water catalyst of this embodiment is significantly better than that of the conventional alkaline electrode sheet, and the η10 oxygen evolution overpotential of the electrolytic water catalyst of this embodiment is 231mV, and that of Raney nickel is 302mV.

[0047] It is worth mentioning that Figure 5 and Figure 6 The water electrolysis catalyst is applied to an alkaline solution electrolyzer, but is not limited thereto. The water electrolysis catalyst of the present application can also be applied to 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. Figure 7As shown, a water electrolysis device (such as a hydrogen production electrolyzer) or system using the catalyst of the present application may include a membrane layer 101 , a diffusion layer 102 , and a catalyst 20 , wherein the catalyst 20 is located between the membrane layer 101 and the diffusion layer 102 .

[0048] In some embodiments, Figure 7 As shown, the catalyst of the present application can be applied to a hydrogen production electrolyzer, which includes a membrane layer 101, at least two diffusion layers 102 and a catalyst. The diffusion layer 102 is located on opposite sides of the membrane layer 101. The catalyst 20 is formed between the membrane layer 101 and the diffusion layer 102. In one embodiment, the catalyst 20 can be formed on a single side surface of the diffusion layer 102 and close to the membrane layer 101. In another embodiment, the catalyst 20 can also be formed on both side surfaces of the diffusion layer 102. In yet another embodiment, the catalyst 20 can be formed on both side surfaces of the membrane layer 101. It is worth noting that the membrane layer 101 can be a diaphragm, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anion exchange membrane or other membrane layer used for hydrogen production electrolysis, and the diffusion layer 102 can be a nickel mesh, nickel foam, a carbon mesh or other porous layer.

[0049] In some embodiments, Figure 7 As shown, the hydrogen production electrolyzer (or water electrolysis device) of the present application may include multiple electrolysis units (or electrolysis chambers), and each electrolysis unit may include a membrane layer 101, at least two diffusion layers 102 and a catalyst 20.

[0050] In some embodiments, Figure 8 As shown, the catalyst of the present application can be applied to a hydrogen production electrolyzer, which includes a membrane layer 101, at least two diffusion layers 102, at least two electrode sheets 103 and an electrode plate 104. The diffusion layer 102 is located on opposite sides of the membrane layer 101. The electrode sheets 103 are respectively formed between the membrane layer 101 and the diffusion layer 102. The electrode sheets 103 can be an anode electrode sheet and a cathode electrode sheet, respectively, and the electrode sheets 103 may include a catalyst 20 and a catalyst carrier 30. The catalyst 20 may be formed on a single side surface of the catalyst carrier 30 and be close to the membrane layer 101, or the catalyst 20 may also be respectively formed on both side surfaces of the catalyst carrier 30. It is worth noting that in Figure 8 In the embodiment, the membrane layer 101 can be a diaphragm, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anion exchange membrane or other membrane layer used for hydrogen electrolysis, and the diffusion layer 102 and the catalyst carrier 30 can be nickel mesh, nickel foam, carbon mesh or other porous layers.

[0051] In some embodiments, the electrode plate 104 may be made of, for example, a stainless steel plate plated with nickel, a nickel plate, or other metal / alloy plates.

[0052] In some embodiments, Figure 8As shown, the hydrogen production electrolysis cell (or water electrolysis device) of the present application may include multiple electrolysis units (or electrolysis chambers), and each electrolysis unit may include a membrane layer 101, at least two diffusion layers 102, at least two electrode sheets 103 and an electrode plate 104.

[0053] In some embodiments, the membrane layer may be a membrane (eg, a composite membrane), and the main component of the membrane may be, for example, polyphenylene sulfide, zirconium oxide and / or polysulfone.

[0054] In some embodiments, the pore density (PPI) of the diffusion layer is, for example, less than 100, and for example, less than 80. In some embodiments, the thickness of the diffusion layer is, for example, 1.5 mm to 10 mm. In some embodiments, the nickel content per square meter of the nickel foam or nickel mesh is, for example, greater than 500 g / m 2 .

[0055] In different embodiments, the main components of the catalyst 20 attached to the cathode electrode may be, for example, Pt and Ni, and the main components of the catalyst attached to the anode electrode may be, for example, Pt, Ni, and Fe.

[0056] In summary, the present application proposes a water electrolysis catalyst and a water electrolysis device, wherein the catalyst can, for example, form nanoparticles by in-situ growth and orderly form nanowires, which can improve the binding with the catalyst carrier, improve the catalytic activity and catalytic efficiency. By setting a gas dredging channel, during the electrolysis process, it is used to quickly diffuse and transmit the gas generated by electrolysis to improve the electrolysis efficiency of water. The water electrolysis catalyst of the present application is applied to a water electrolysis device, with higher catalytic activity, lower energy consumption, and better stability.

[0057] 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 catalyst, characterized in that: include: Nanowire or nanochain microstructures are orderly formed on a catalyst support; and Nanoparticles, the nanoparticles are stacked to form the nanowire or nanochain microstructure, wherein the diameter of the nanoparticles is 5nm to 500nm.

2. The AEM water electrolysis catalyst according to claim 1, characterized in that The catalyst includes a first part and a second part, wherein the second part is coated on the first part.

3. The AEM water electrolysis catalyst according to claim 2, characterized in that The first part has a line diameter of 0.1 to 1.2 μm and a length of 0.1 to 0.6 μm.

4. The AEM water electrolysis catalyst according to claim 3, characterized in that The length of the second portion is 0.1-100 μm.

5. The AEM water electrolysis catalyst according to claim 4, characterized in that The second part includes nanosheets, and the nanosheets are coated on the first part.

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

8. The AEM water electrolysis catalyst according to claim 1, characterized in that The catalyst carrier is square or circular.

9. The AEM water electrolysis catalyst according to claim 1, characterized in that The catalyst grows vertically and orderly on the catalyst carrier.

10. An AEM electrolytic cell, characterized in that: The invention comprises the water electrolysis catalyst according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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