Introduction

Fueiceel® Research Grade MEA CO₂ Stack (25cm²/unit, Serpentine Flow Field) is a specialized device designed for the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into carbon monoxide (CO). This technology is pivotal in carbon capture and utilization (CCU) strategies, providing a sustainable pathway to produce CO, a valuable industrial feedstock. The MEA electrolyzer, equipped with an Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM), is particularly suited for research purposes, allowing detailed studies on CO₂ reduction reactions (CO₂RR) and the development of efficient catalysts.

Test Report - CRRMEA5a #0167 Signed.pdf

A complete electrolyzer with MEA in it and a test report can be provided if requested. A testing cost will apply on the complete electrolyzer.

Partial reference

Adv. Energy Mater. Tailoring Microenvironments and In Situ Transformations of Cu Catalysts for Selective and Stable Electrosynthesis of Multicarbon Products (CRRMEA5a, Sci-Materials Hub)

Angew pH-Universal Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction with Ampere-level Current Density on Doping-engineered Bismuth Sulfide (CRRMEA1a 1cm² MEA electrolyzer, Figure 4d)

Chem Identification of Cu⁰/Cu⁺/Cu⁰ interface as superior active sites for CO₂ electroreduction to CO₂₊ in neutral condition (CRRMEA1a, Figure S34)

Principle

The operation of the research-grade MEA electrolyzer hinges on the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ at the cathode, driven by an external power source. The key steps involved in this process include:

- CO₂ Supply: CO₂ gas is introduced into the cathode compartment, where it interacts with a catalyst specifically designed to facilitate the reduction of CO₂ to CO.

- Cathode Reaction: At the cathode, CO₂ molecules are reduced by accepting electrons, resulting in the formation of CO. This reaction is supported by the flow of electrons from the external circuit.

- Anode Reaction: Concurrently, at the anode, water (H₂O) molecules are oxidized to produce oxygen (O₂) gas, protons (H⁺), and electrons. The electrons are transferred through the external circuit back to the cathode, while hydroxide ions (OH^-) formed at the cathode migrate through the Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) towards the anode.

- Ion Transport: The AEM plays a crucial role by allowing the migration of OH^- ions from the cathode to the anode, maintaining the ionic balance within the cell and ensuring continuous operation.

Reactions on Anode and Cathode

Cathode Reaction (CO₂ Reduction): At the cathode, CO₂ is electrochemically reduced to CO, with the formation of hydroxide ions (OH^-)

$${\text{CO}}_2+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}+2{\text{e}}^{-}\to \text{CO}+2{\text{OH}}^{-}$$

Anode (Oxygen Evolution Reaction - OER): In an alkaline environment, hydroxide ions are oxidized to produce oxygen, water, and electrons.

$$4\text{OH}^- \rightarrow \text{O}_2 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O} + 4e^-$$

Features

- High Selectivity: The MEA electrolyzer is engineered to achieve high selectivity for CO production, minimizing the formation of other byproducts.

- Advanced Catalysts: The complete Fueiceel® electrolyzer is equipped with state-of-the-art catalysts, often utilizing metals such as silver (Ag) or gold (Au), which are known for their high efficiency and selectivity in the reduction of CO₂ to CO.

- Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM): The AEM is integral to the system, facilitating the transport of hydroxide ions from the cathode to the anode, which is crucial for maintaining the cell’s charge balance and overall efficiency.

- Compact Design: The electrolyzer’s compact and modular design makes it ideal for laboratory settings, allowing for easy integration into various experimental setups and enabling the testing of different catalysts and operational parameters.

- Real-time Monitoring: The Fueiceel® electrolyzer can be connected to elechemical devices (e.g. electrochemical station, DC power, gas chromatography & Gas mass flow meter etc) for real-time monitoring of key parameters such as voltage, current, CO₂ flow rate, and product composition, aiding in precise control and analysis.

Instruction of Use

- System Setup: Connect the CO₂ gas supply to the cathode compartment using appropriate tubing. Ensure the anode compartment is supplied with deionized water to facilitate the oxidation reaction. Verify that all connections are secure and that there are no leaks.

- Initial Checks: Power on the system and ensure that all monitoring equipment is operational. Adjust the CO₂ and electrolyte flow rates according to your experimental requirements.

- Operating the Electrolyzer: Set the power supply to the desired initial voltage, typically around 2.5-3.0 V.

Gradually increase the current while monitoring the voltage, ensuring it remains within the optimal range for CO production. Allow the electrolyzer to reach stable operating conditions, which may take some time depending on the conditioning of the membrane and catalysts.

- Data Collection: Continuously monitor CO production at the cathode using gas chromatography or other suitable analytical methods. Record operational data such as cell voltage, current, and gas flow rates for analysis.

- Shut Down: Gradually reduce the current to zero before switching off the power supply. Disconnect the gas and water supply lines, and if necessary, purge the system with an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen) to remove any residual reactive gases. Clean the electrolyzer components according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure their longevity and performance in future experiments.

Fueiceel® Research Grade MEA CO₂ Stack (25cm²/unit, Serpentine Flow Field) is a critical tool for advancing the study of CO₂ reduction technologies, contributing to the development of sustainable carbon capture and utilization strategies.

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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.