3D Super-Aerophobic Hydrogel Electrode for Gas Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrochemical and photoelectrochemical water splitting systems face inefficiencies due to gas adhesion on electrodes, reducing surface area and active site availability, and current methods to enhance aerophobia are complex, energy-intensive, and harmful, affecting reaction activity and stability.

Innovation Solution

A 3D super-aerophobic layer formed with porous hydrogel, including polymer-based or linear virus-based hydrogel, is applied to the electrode to facilitate gas separation and improve efficiency, using a catalyst layer and semiconductor substrate with alkoxy silane treatment for enhanced gas generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional electrode structures are used, then the electrode maintains simple structure and ease of manufacture, but gas adheres to the electrode surface reducing active site availability and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas generation efficiencyVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a porous hydrogel layer on the electrode surface to create super-aerophobic properties. The porous structure with controlled pore size (50-500 nm) prevents gas bubble adhesion while maintaining electrode accessibility, enabling efficient gas generation without complex structural modifications to the electrode itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining the electrode with a hydrogel layer containing super-aerophobic nanoparticles. This composite material approach integrates the gas-repelling functionality into the electrode system without fundamentally changing the electrode's core structure, thus maintaining simplicity while improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If existing methods to enhance aerophobia are applied, then gas detachment is improved, but the processes become complex, energy-intensive, and harmful to the electrode's stability and activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas separation efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to electrode properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a hydrogel layer containing sacrificial nanoparticles that can be easily removed or replaced. The hydrogel itself acts as a temporary, disposable structure that provides super-aerophobicity during operation without permanently modifying or damaging the electrode, avoiding harmful effects on electrode stability and activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrogel layer serves as an intermediary between the electrode and the gas bubbles. It mediates the interaction by providing a surface that repels gas while protecting the electrode from direct contact with harmful conditions, thus improving gas separation without exposing the electrode to damaging processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the electrode surface is modified to improve gas detachment, then aerophobia increases, but the reaction activity and stability decrease due to changes in physical and chemical characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas detachment efficiencyVSAvoidelectrode stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electrode system into two distinct functional layers: the electrode itself and the hydrogel coating layer. This segmentation allows the hydrogel to provide gas detachment functionality while the electrode maintains its original physical and chemical properties, ensuring reaction activity and stability are preserved

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The 3D super-aerophobic layer effectively separates generated gas, increasing the electrode's stability and efficiency, allowing for higher gas production while maintaining the electrode's physical and chemical properties, and can be applied to various gas generation reactions.

Implementation Method 1

forming a three-dimensional (3D) super-aerophobic layer including porous hydrogel for an effective gas generation or evolution reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuper-aerophobicity: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

Electrochemical or photoelectrochemical water splitting is one of effective methods to generate hydrogen energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical water splitting: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 3

Electrochemical or photoelectrochemical water splitting is one of effective methods to generate hydrogen energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectrochemical water splitting: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11560635B2Electrode for gas generation, method of preparing the electrode and device including the electrode for gas generation

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 UNIST (ULSAN NAT INST OF SCI & TECH)

AI summary

Disclosed are an electrode for gas generation, a method of preparing the electrode, and a device including the electrode for gas generation. The electrode includes a gas generating electrode layer and a three-dimensional (3D) super-aerophobic layer formed on at least one portion of the gas generating electrode layer and including porous hydrogel.