Fueiceel® Research Grade 4cm² Electrolyzer to Convert CO₂ to HCOOH is a precision-engineered device designed for the electrochemical conversion of CO₂ into formic acid. This system utilizes a three-compartment design to optimize the conversion process. In the cathode compartment, humidified CO₂ is electrochemically reduced to formate anions, while in the anode compartment, deionized (DI) water is electrolyzed to generate protons. The formate anions pass through an anion exchange membrane into the central compartment, while protons are transferred through a cation exchange membrane into the same compartment. The combination of formate anions with protons in this central compartment results in the formation of formic acid, which is collected at the outlet.

This 4 cm² electrolyzer includes a titanium anode flow field, a central compartment with ion exchange media, a stainless steel cathode flow field and all necessary accessories such as nuts, bolts, o-rings, gaskets, and an insulating kit.

A complete electrolyzer with ion exchange media (in central compartment), catalyst-coated electrodes, Nafion® and Sustainion® membranes are also available upon request. The complete electrolyzer is fully assembled, tested, and verified to ensure optimal performance before shipment.

At the current density of 200 mA/cm² for a complete 5 cm² formic acid electrolyzer, we, SCI Materials Hub, present more stable and lower voltage compared to Dioxide Materials. We, SCI Materials Hub, present a long-term stability evaluation with our FA cell and our electrode. The FA cell, anode electrode and cathode electrode are all developed by SCI Materials Hub. All are now commerically available.

Formic Acid Concentration SCI Materials Hub > 20 wt% formic acid (DM: > 10 wt% formic acid）

System Setup

To set up the system, begin by connecting a peristaltic pump to circulate DI water from a reservoir to the anode chamber at a flow rate of 3 mL/min. A second peristaltic pump should feed DI water to the central compartment at a suggested flow rate of 0.065 mL/min through the inlets located on the backside of the anode flow field. Adjusting the flow rate into the central compartment can vary the concentration of produced formic acid—typically, a slower flow rate favors the production of higher concentration formic acid, albeit with decreased Faradaic efficiency. It is recommended to use 1/8” OD, 1/16” ID PTFE tubing for all connections. Pure CO₂ from a cylinder should be humidified using a bottle humidifier (sold separately) and then fed to the cathode chamber at a flow rate of 30 sccm.

Tubing Connections

Cathode: Remove the nuts from the compression fittings and extract the black rubber rods from the nuts. Insert the 1/8” OD PTFE tubing through the nuts, and then secure the nuts onto the compression fittings. Connect the tubing from the CO2 humidifier to the compression fitting at the top of the cathode (stainless steel flow field) and tighten the nuts by hand. Connect another piece of PTFE tubing to the bottom compression fitting on the cathode and route it to the catholyte collector, and then to the exhaust. Since CO is poisonous and H2 is flammable, ensure that the cathode gas product is not released into the lab or working area.

Anode: Remove the nuts from all compression fittings and the black rubber rods from the nuts. Insert the 1/8” OD PTFE tubing through the nuts, and secure the nuts onto the compression fittings. Follow the labels on the compression fittings to connect the tubing accordingly, and tighten the nuts by hand.

Power Connections

Locate the threaded hole for the wire connection on the top of the cell. Attach the ring terminal with a Phillips round head screw. Repeat this procedure for both the anode and cathode connections.

Cell Testing and Operation

To begin testing, start the DI water flow from the reservoir to the inlet of the anode chamber at a rate of 3 mL/min, and to the central compartment at a flow rate of 0.065 mL/min. Feed humidified CO₂ into the cathode chamber at a flow rate of 30 sccm. Connect the anode electrical lead (red) and cathode electrical lead (black) to the positive and negative terminals, respectively, on the power supply. Set the initial voltage to 4.5-5.0V and the current to 0.4A (0.1A/cm²). As the voltage stabilizes over time, gradually increase the current to 0.24A, 0.32A, and then 0.4A. The electrolyzer should reach stable operating conditions within several hours, depending on membrane and electrode conditioning.

For long-term testing, it is recommended to perform a reverse polarity treatment at 1.5V for 30 seconds approximately every 100 hours to maintain cell performance.

For international orders, please ask us for quotes via

Email: contact@scimaterials.cn

Tel: +86 153-5789-9751

These cells are assembled by our engineers & a leakage-sealing test is done before leaving our lab. Customized electrochemical cells can be made upon requests.

The accessories include:

Partial references citing our materials (from Google Scholar)

Carbon Dioxide Reduction

1. ACS Nano Strain Relaxation in Metal Alloy Catalysts Steers the Product Selectivity of Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction

The bipolar membrane (Fumasep FBM) in this paper was purchased from SCI Materials Hub, which was used in rechargeable Zn-CO₂ battery tests. The authors reported a strain relaxation strategy to determine lattice strains in bimetal MNi alloys (M = Pd, Ag, and Au) and realized an outstanding CO₂-to-CO Faradaic efficiency of 96.6% with outstanding activity and durability toward a Zn-CO₂ battery.

2. Front. Chem. Boosting Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction on Atomically Dispersed Nickel Catalyst

In this paper, Vulcan XC-72R was purchased from SCI Materials Hub. Vulcan XC 72R carbon is the most common catalyst support used in the anode and cathode electrodes of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC), Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC), Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC), Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC), Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC), and many more!

3. Adv. Mater. Partially Nitrided Ni Nanoclusters Achieve Energy-Efficient Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction to CO at Ultralow Overpotential

An AEM membrane (Sustainion X37-50 Grade RT, purchased from SCI Materials Hub) was activated in 1 M KOH for 24 h, washed with ultra-purity water prior to use.

4. Adv. Funct. Mater. Nanoconfined Molecular Catalysts in Integrated Gas Diffusion Electrodes for High-Current-Density CO₂ Electroreduction

In this paper (Supporting Information), an anion exchanged membrane (Fumasep FAB-PK-130 obtained from SCI Materials Hub (www.scimaterials.cn)) was used to separate the catholyte and anolyte chambers.

SCI Materials Hub: we also recommend our Fumasep FAB-PK-75 for the use in a flow cell.

5. Appl. Catal. B Efficient utilization of nickel single atoms for CO₂ electroreduction by constructing 3D interconnected nitrogen-doped carbon tube network

In this paper, the Nafion 117 membrane was obtained from SCI Materials Hub.

6. Vacuum Modulable Cu(0)/Cu(I)/Cu(II) sites of Cu/C catalysts derived from MOF for highly selective CO₂ electroreduction to hydrocarbons

In this paper, Proton exchange membrane (Nafion 117), Nafion D520, and Toray 060 carbon paper were purchased from SCI Materials Hub.

7. National Science Review Confinement of ionomer for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction via efficient mass transfer pathways

An anion exchange membrane (PiperION-A15-HCO3) was obtained from SCI Materials Hub.

8. Catalysis Communications Facilitating CO2 electroreduction to C2H4 through facile regulating {100} & {111} grain boundary of Cu2O

Carbon paper (TGPH060), membrane solution (Nafion D520), and ionic membrane (Nafion N117) were obtained from Wuhu Eryi Material Technology Co., Ltd (a company under SCI Materials Hub).

Batteries

1. J. Mater. Chem. A Blocking polysulfides with a Janus Fe3C/N-CNF@RGO electrode via physiochemical confinement and catalytic conversion for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries

Graphene oxide (GO) in this paper was obtained from SCI Materials Hub. The authors introduced a Janus Fe3C/N-CNF@RGO electrode consisting of 1D Fe3C decorated N-doped carbon nanofibers (Fe3C/N-CNFs) side and 2D reduced graphene oxide (RGO) side as the free-standing carrier of Li2S6 catholyte to improve the overall electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries.

2. Joule A high-voltage and stable zinc-air battery enabled by dual-hydrophobic-induced proton shuttle shielding

This paper used more than 10 kinds of materials from SCI Materials Hub and the authors gave detailed properity comparsion.

The commercial IEMs of Fumasep FAB-PK-130 and Nafion N117 were obtained from SCI Materials Hub.

Gas diffusion layers of GDL340 (CeTech) and SGL39BC (Sigracet) and Nafion dispersion (Nafion D520) were obtained from SCI Materials Hub.

Zn foil (100 mm thickness) and Zn powder were obtained from the SCI Materials Hub.

Commercial 20% Pt/C, 40% Pt/C and IrO2 catalysts were also obtained from SCI Materials Hub.

3. Journal of Energy Chemistry Vanadium oxide nanospheres encapsulated in N-doped carbon nanofibers with morphology and defect dual-engineering toward advanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries

In this paper, carbon cloth (W0S1011) was obtained from SCI Materials Hub. The flexible carbon cloth matrix guaranteed the stabilization of the electrode and improved the conductivity of the cathode.

4. Energy Storage Materials Defect-abundant commercializable 3D carbon papers for fabricating composite Li anode with high loading and long life

The 3D carbon paper (TGPH060 raw paper) were purchased from SCI Materials Hub.

5. Nanomaterials A Stable Rechargeable Aqueous Zn–Air Battery Enabled by Heterogeneous MoS2 Cathode Catalysts

Nafion D520 (5 wt%), and carbon paper (GDL340) were received from SCI-Materials-Hub.

6. SSRN An Axially Directed Cobalt-Phthalocyanine Covalent Organic Polymer as High-Efficient Bifunctional Catalyst for Zn-Air Battery

Carbon cloth (W0S1011) and other electrochemical consumables required for air cathode were provided by SCI Materials Hub.

Oxygen Reduction Reaction

1. J. Chem. Eng. Superior Efficiency Hydrogen Peroxide Production in Acidic Media through Epoxy Group Adjacent to Co-O/C Active Centers on Carbon Black

In this paper, Vulcan XC 72 carbon black, ion membrane (Nafion N115, 127 μL), Nafion solution (D520, 5 wt%), and carbon paper (AvCarb GDS 2230 and Spectracarb 2050A-1050) were purchased from SCI Materials Hub.

2. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Gaining insight into the impact of electronic property and interface electrostatic field on ORR kinetics in alloy engineering via theoretical prognostication and experimental validation

The 20 wt% Pt3M (M = Cr, Co, Cu, Pd, Sn, and Ir) were purchased from SCI Materials Hub. This work places emphasis on the kinetics of the ORR concerning Pt3M (M = Cr, Co, Cu, Pd, Sn, and Ir) catalysts, and integrates theoretical prognostication and experimental validation to illuminate the fundamental principles of alloy engineering.

Water Electrolysis

1. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Gold as an efficient hydrogen isotope separation catalyst in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis

The cathodic catalysts of Pt/C (20 wt%, 2–3 nm) and Au/C (20 wt%, 4–5 nm) were purchased from SCI Materials Hub.

2. Small Science Silver Compositing Boosts Water Electrolysis Activity and Durability of RuO2 in a Proton-Exchange-Membrane Water Electrolyzer

Two fiber felts (0.35 mm thickness, SCI Materials Hub) were used as the porous transport layers at both the cathode and the anode.

3. Advanced Functional Materials Hierarchical Crystalline/Amorphous Heterostructure MoNi/NiMoOx for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution with Industry-Level Activity and Stability

Anion-exchange membrane (FAA-3-PK-130) was obtained from SCI Materials Hub website.

Fuel Cells

1. Polymer Sub-two-micron ultrathin proton exchange membrane with reinforced mechanical strength

Gas diffusion electrode (60% Pt/C, Carbon paper) was purchased from SCI Materials Hub.

Characterization

1. Chemical Engineering Journal Electrochemical reconstitution of Prussian blue analogue for coupling furfural electro-oxidation with photo-assisted hydrogen evolution reaction

An Au nanoparticle film was deposited on the total reflecting plane of a single reflection ATR crystal (SCI Materials Hub, Wuhu, China) via sputter coater.