Solar Thermal Decoupled Electrolysis: Long-term Behavior of Electrolytic Cell

Authors

Marcus A. Ochsendorf, Valparaiso UniversityFollow
Jonathan K. Schoer, Valparaiso UniversityFollow
Laura Engerer, Valparaiso UniversityFollow
Robert Palumbo, University of Minnesota - DuluthFollow
Rachel Silcox, Valparaiso UniversityFollow
Luke Venstrom, Valparaiso UniversityFollow
Shahin Nudehi, Valparaiso UniversityFollow

Faculty Sponsor

Jonathan Schoer

College

Arts and Sciences

Department/Program

Chemistry

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Summer 7-30-2018

Abstract

The use of Co(OH)₂ to facilitate the electrolytic production of H₂ from stirred, highly alkaline, aqueous solutions was studied using voltammetry and bulk electrolysis at a rotating disc electrode (RDE). In agreement with theory, convection produced by the RDE increased the mass transfer to the electrode surface, which, lead to the desired increased current density over quiescent solutions. An extended form of our previously developed model was developed and used to predict the shape of cyclic and linear voltammograms for different conditions and to extract critical information and parameters for understanding the reaction mechanism. Unexpectedly, but beneficially, it was also observed that the electrode area increased during the course of bulk electrolysis as material was deposited on the anode.

Recommended Citation

Ochsendorf, Marcus A.; Schoer, Jonathan K.; Engerer, Laura; Palumbo, Robert; Silcox, Rachel; Venstrom, Luke; and Nudehi, Shahin, "Solar Thermal Decoupled Electrolysis: Long-term Behavior of Electrolytic Cell" (2018). Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium. 28.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/sires/28