Spinel Nickel-Manganese Anode for Fluctuating Alkaline Electrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Alkaline water electrolysis anodes deteriorate when using renewable energy with large output fluctuations, leading to unstable performance over time, and existing catalysts like LiNi0.8Al0.2O2 and LiNi0.3Fe0.2O2 are not sufficiently active.
Innovation Solution
A nickel-containing metal oxide anode with a controlled Mn4+-containing spinel structure is developed by controlling Li content through delithiation using nitronium tetrafluoroborate (NO2BF4), ensuring stable catalytic activity despite power fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If renewable energy with large output fluctuations is used as power source, then hydrogen production can be performed using clean energy, but anode performance deteriorates over time due to severe conditions like sudden start/shutdown and abrupt load fluctuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the anode by controlling the Li content through delithiation using nitronium tetrafluoroborate (NO2BF4). This parameter modification optimizes the catalytic activity and stability of the anode, enabling it to maintain excellent performance under fluctuating renewable energy conditions while preventing deterioration over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of nickel-containing metal oxide with a spinel structure modified by controlled lithium content. This composite structure combines the stability of the spinel framework with the enhanced catalytic activity provided by optimized lithium distribution, resulting in an anode that is both adaptable to renewable energy and reliable over long periods
2Ease of manufacture
If nickel-based material is used as anode, then cost is reduced compared to noble metal electrodes, but severe conditions cause deterioration in performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the nickel-based material by precisely controlling the lithium content through delithiation. This parameter change enhances the intrinsic stability and catalytic activity of the nickel-based anode, allowing it to resist performance deterioration under severe operating conditions while maintaining cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality modification by creating a non-uniform lithium distribution within the nickel-containing metal oxide structure. The controlled delithiation process creates specific regions with optimized lithium concentrations that enhance local catalytic activity and stability, improving overall anode performance without increasing cost
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 anode maintains excellent electrolysis performance and catalytic activity over a long period even with renewable energy sources, preventing deterioration and enhancing stability.
Implementation Method 1
reacting nitronium tetrafluoroborate (NO2BF4) with a lithium composite oxide formed by subjecting a precursor containing a lithium component, a nickel component, and a manganese component to a thermal treatment, thereby chemically performing delithiation
Implementation Method 2
Both of the reaction of producing a nickel oxide and the reaction of reducing the produced nickel oxide progress on the surface of nickel-based material
Implementation Method 3
In the electrolytic cell, electromotive force due to various chemical species is generated, so that the anode potential is retained low, and the reaction of reducing the nickel oxide is facilitated by the progress of a battery reaction
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5(a)~5(b)
AI summary
The present invention provides an alkaline water electrolysis anode such that even when electric power having a large output fluctuation, such as renewable energy, is used as a power source, the electrolysis performance is unlikely to be deteriorated and excellent catalytic activity is retained stably over a long period of time. The alkaline water electrolysis anode is an alkaline water electrolysis anode 10 provided with an electrically conductive substrate 2 at least a surface of which contains nickel or a nickel base alloy and a catalyst layer 6 disposed on the surface of the electrically conductive substrate 2, the catalyst layer 6 containing a nickel-containing metal oxide having a spinel structure, wherein the nickel-containing metal oxide contains nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn), and has an atom ratio of Li/Ni/Mn/O of (0.0 to 0.8)/(0.4 to 0.6)/(1.0 to 1.8)/4.0.