Electrolysis Cell Diaphragm Protection From Active Oxygen Species

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrolysis devices face inefficiencies in carbon dioxide and nitrogen reduction due to the production of hydrogen as a side reaction, leading to reduced efficiency and membrane deterioration from active oxygen species.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a chemical species that decomposes, captures, or inactivates active oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide, using metals like Ce, Mn, Co, Pt, Ru, or Sn, to stabilize the diaphragm and prevent membrane degradation, while using anion exchange membranes to inhibit hydrogen production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional electrolysis devices are used for carbon dioxide or nitrogen reduction, then the reduction reaction can proceed, but hydrogen is produced as a side reaction which reduces efficiency and causes membrane deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolysis efficiencyVSAvoidmembrane stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A diaphragm is introduced as an intermediary component between the anode and cathode to physically separate the reaction zones. This prevents active oxygen species generated at the anode from directly contacting and degrading the membrane, while still allowing ion transport to maintain electrolysis functionality. The diaphragm acts as a protective barrier that resolves the contradiction between maintaining electrolysis efficiency and preventing membrane deterioration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful active oxygen species into beneficial or neutral forms. By introducing a chemical species that reacts with active oxygen species, these harmful byproducts are transformed into less reactive substances, thereby protecting the membrane from oxidation damage while maintaining the overall electrolysis process efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If a diaphragm is added to separate anode and cathode to prevent active oxygen species damage, then membrane stability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane stabilityVSAvoidcell structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diaphragm is implemented as a porous structure that allows ion transport while providing physical separation. The porous nature enables the diaphragm to perform multiple functions simultaneously: separating reaction zones to protect the membrane, allowing necessary ion flow for electrolysis, and maintaining structural integrity. This reduces the complexity burden by using a material with inherent multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The diaphragm may incorporate chemical species or coatings that provide both physical separation and chemical protection against active oxygen species. This composite approach allows a single component to address both membrane stability and active oxygen neutralization, reducing the need for additional separate components and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances electrolysis efficiency by reducing side reactions and membrane deterioration, maintaining stability and performance over time.

Implementation Method 1

a chemical species between the anode flow path and the diaphragm, the chemical species being configured to decompose, capture, or inactivate an active oxygen species

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

a cathode having a reduction catalyst that promotes a reduction reaction of reducing a reducible material to produce a reduction product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

a cathode having a reduction catalyst that promotes a reduction reaction of reducing a reducible material to produce a reduction product, and the reducible material being carbon dioxide or nitrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReduction reaction: Reduction

Implementation Method 4

an anode having an oxidation catalyst that promotes an oxidation reaction of oxidizing water to produce oxygen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation reaction: Oxidation

Implementation Method 5

an anode flow path facing on the anode and through which an electrolytic solution containing the water flows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP4711500A1Electrolysis cell, electrolysis device, and method of manufacturing electrolysis cell

Publication Date: 2026.03.18 KK TOSHIBA

Figure 1

AI summary

An electrolysis cell includes: a cathode having a reduction catalyst that promotes a reduction reaction of reducing a reducible material to produce a reduction product, and the reducible material being carbon dioxide or nitrogen; an anode having an oxidation catalyst that promotes an oxidation reaction of oxidizing water to produce oxygen; a diaphragm provided between the cathode and the anode; a cathode flow path facing on the cathode and through which a gas of the reduction material flows; an anode flow path facing on the anode and through which an electrolytic solution containing the water flows; and a chemical species between the anode flow path and the diaphragm, the chemical species being configured to decompose, capture, or inactivate an active oxygen species.