Journal Article

IMPULSE-2022-00318

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png High-resolution neutron imaging of salt precipitation and water transport in zero-gap CO$_{2}$ electrolysis

Disch, J. (Corresponding author) ; Bohn, L. ; Koch, S. ; Schulz, M.MLZ* ; Han, Y.MLZ* ; Tengattini, A. ; Helfen, L. ; Breitwieser, M. ; Vierrath, S.

2022
Nature Publishing Group UK [London]

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41467-022-33694-y

Abstract: The electrochemical reduction of CO$_{2}$ is a pivotal technology for the defossilization of the chemical industry. Although pilot-scale electrolyzers exist, water management and salt precipitation remain a major hurdle to long-term operation. In this work, we present high-resolution neutron imaging (6 μm) of a zero-gap CO$_{2}$ electrolyzer to uncover water distribution and salt precipitation under application-relevant operating conditions (200 mA cm$^{−2}$ at a cell voltage of 2.8 V with a Faraday efficiency for CO of 99%). Precipitated salts penetrating the cathode gas diffusion layer can be observed, which are believed to block the CO$_{2}$ gas transport and are therefore the major cause for the commonly observed decay in Faraday efficiency. Neutron imaging further shows higher salt accumulation under the cathode channel of the flow field compared to the land.

Keyword(s): Earth, Environment and Cultural Heritage (1st) ; Materials Science (2nd) ; Industrial Application (2nd) ; Chemistry (2nd)

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. METHODS (METHODS)
2. ANTARES (ANTARES)

Experiment(s):

1. ANTARES: Cold neutron radiography and tomography station (SR4a)
2. Measurement at external facility

Appears in the scientific report 2022

---

Database coverage:
; ; ; Article Processing Charges ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DOAJ Seal ; Essential Science Indicators ; Fees ; IF >= 10 ; JCR ; PubMed Central ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record

---