Potentiostat and Upgrade of IR Microscope in Support of Investigations of Anion Exchange Polymer Interfacial Interactions
Abstract
Funding from the Army Research Office under grant W911NF-12-R-0012-04 titled Investigations of Anion Exchange Polymer Interfacial Interactions is currently enabling us to enhance our understanding of the interactions that occur between anion exchange polymers and catalyst materials. Though we can complement our fundamental studies of these materials in relevant electrochemical systems, including galvanic or fuel cell environments, there is a growing need to study them under conditions of electrolysis. While most studies on AEMs have focused on their application in fuel cells, electrolysis is also an area where AEM technology can still make a significant impact. AEM electrolysis has not been extensively studied, and progress is needed in the areas of power efficiency, stability and cost reduction in order for the technology to contribute to the production of electrofuels and chemicals such as hydrogen, ammonia and hydrocarbons from CO2. The research interests of the ARL are shifting from studying anion exchange and bi-polar membranes for fuel cell applications to instead generating valuable products electrochemically, such as ammonia, hydrogen, or more complex fuels. Therefore, there is a need to compliment the development of our materials with studying them under electrolysis conditions. High voltages and increased temperatures are required for electrolysis to overcome kinetic and resistance limitations for good performance, and currently our lab is not equipped with a potentiostat capable of running electrolysis experiments. We requested a VSP-300 Biologic potentiostat to enable our lab to expand research in anion exchange membranes to electrolysis applications. The proposed instrumentation allowed us to continue making advances in our highly tunable anion exchange membrane technology to contribute to the development of the AEM electrolysis field.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 30, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1113432
Entities
People
- Andrew M Herring
Organizations
- Colorado School of Mines