Fueiceel® Research Grade AEM Water Stack (25 cm²/unit, Serpentine Flow Field) is a cutting-edge setup used for experimental research in electrochemical water splitting, particularly in the development and optimization of AEM water electrolyzers. This system is designed to advance the understanding of hydrogen production using AEM technology, which is a promising alternative to traditional alkaline or proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers.

It features a square serpentine flow channel design and uses anion exchange membranes, Raney nickel mesh or FeCoNi/nickel fiber paper cathodes, and NiFeOx/stainless steel fiber paper anodes. These stacks can achieve a current density of 1-3 A/cm². Using our Youveim® E340PT 1 mg/cm² Ir-Platinized Ti Fiber Paper anode vs. DiffuCarb® E243c 0.5 mg/cm² 50% PtRu (1:1)/HSC - carbon paper cathode, we achieved 6.3 A/cm²@2V@80°C.

1. Fueiceel® AEM Water Electrolysis Stack

• Purpose: The primary purpose of an AEM water electrolysis stack is to split water into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) gases using electrical energy. AEM technology is particularly interesting because it combines the benefits of both alkaline and PEM electrolyzers, potentially offering high efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

• Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM): The membrane in this stack is an anion exchange membrane, which allows the selective transport of anions (OH⁻) from the cathode to the anode, facilitating the electrochemical reactions necessary for water splitting.

  
  

2. Serpentine Flow Field

• Flow Field Design: The serpentine flow field is a channel design used in the flow plates of the electrolyzer to direct the flow of water or gas reactants and products across the surface of the electrodes. This design maximizes the contact between the reactant gases (or liquid water) and the electrode surfaces.
• Advantages:
  • Improved Reactant Distribution: The serpentine pattern ensures uniform distribution of reactants across the electrode surface, which helps in achieving consistent electrochemical performance.
  • Enhanced Water Management: The design promotes effective water distribution and removal of generated gases (H₂ and O₂), reducing the likelihood of flooding or dry spots on the membrane.

  • Pressure Drop Control: The serpentine flow field can be optimized to manage the pressure drop across the cell, balancing the need for efficient reactant delivery with the minimization of parasitic losses.

    
    

3. Cell Design and Materials

• Electrodes:
  • Anode: Typically made from a nickel-based material, possibly with a catalytic coating to enhance the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Common catalysts include nickel-iron (NiFe) or nickel-cobalt (NiCo) alloys.
  • Cathode: Often composed of a different nickel alloy or a combination of nickel with a platinum-group metal to enhance the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
• Catalyst Coatings: The electrodes may be coated with specialized catalysts designed to lower the overpotential and increase the efficiency of the reactions occurring at both the anode and cathode.

• Membrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA): The AEM is integrated into a membrane-electrode assembly, where it is sandwiched between the anode and cathode. This assembly is critical for the overall performance, determining the efficiency and durability of the electrolysis process.

  
  

4. Operation and Configuration

• Series Configuration (Defalut):
  • Voltage Increase: Cells are connected end-to-end in a series configuration, which allows the voltages to add up while the current remains constant. This setup is ideal for research requiring higher voltages to study the effects on electrolysis efficiency and material performance.
• Parallel Configuration:
  • Current Increase: In a parallel configuration, multiple cells are connected so that the total current is the sum of the currents through each cell, while the voltage remains the same across all cells. This configuration is used when higher hydrogen production rates are desired, as it allows for increased current flow without increasing the voltage.
  • Advantages: This setup is beneficial for studying the effects of different current densities on the performance of the AEM and catalysts, as well as for scaling up the hydrogen production rate in a controlled laboratory environment.
• Series-Parallel Coexistence Configuration:
  • Combination of Voltage and Current Management: In this configuration, groups of cells are connected in series to achieve the desired voltage, and these series groups are then connected in parallel to increase the overall current. This allows for both high voltage and high current, combining the benefits of both series and parallel configurations.
  • Application: The series-parallel coexistence configuration is particularly useful for simulating real-world applications where both high power (voltage) and high throughput (current) are required. It also enables researchers to study the interplay between voltage and current on the overall efficiency and durability of the system.

  • Optimization: This configuration requires careful balancing to ensure even distribution of both voltage and current across all cells, preventing issues like uneven degradation or hotspots.

    
    

5. Gas Management

• Hydrogen and Oxygen Collection (Optional): A system for the collection and measurement of hydrogen and oxygen gases. Proper handling is crucial to prevent gas crossover and ensure the purity of the produced gases.

• Water Management: Efficient water supply to the anode and cathode, as well as effective removal of produced gases, is managed through the serpentine flow field, ensuring consistent operation and preventing issues like flooding or membrane dehydration.

6. Research Applications

• Material Testing: This setup is used to evaluate new AEM materials, catalysts, and electrode structures, focusing on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing the longevity of the components.
• Performance Characterization: Researchers use various electrochemical techniques such as polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) to characterize the performance of the AEM water electrolysis stack.

• Durability and Degradation Studies: Long-term testing is conducted to understand the degradation mechanisms of the AEM, catalysts, and electrodes under various operational conditions, which is critical for developing commercially viable electrolyzers.

  
  

7. Optimization Strategies

• Flow Field Design: The serpentine flow field can be adjusted in terms of channel width, depth, and pattern to optimize reactant distribution, water management, and pressure drop across the cell.
• Membrane and Catalyst Development: Continuous research is conducted to develop more efficient anion exchange membranes and more durable, cost-effective catalysts.

• Operating Conditions: Researchers experiment with different temperatures, electrolyte concentrations, and current densities to determine the optimal conditions for maximum efficiency and minimal degradation.

  
  

8. Safety Considerations

• Gas Separation: The serpentine flow field and AEM work together to minimize gas crossover, which is critical for safety and efficiency. Regular monitoring and maintenance of the membrane integrity are essential.
• System Pressurization: The system can operate under different pressures depending on the research objectives, but pressure control is crucial to prevent unwanted side reactions or mechanical failure of the components.

In summary, the Fueiceel® Research Grade AEM Water Electrolysis Stack with a Serpentine Flow Field is a highly specialized tool for advancing the understanding and development of water electrolysis technology. Its design allows for detailed study and optimization of AEMs, catalysts, and electrode configurations, contributing significantly to the future of hydrogen production and sustainable energy technologies.

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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.