New electrode materials developed by the United States allow electrochemical cells to efficiently convert
Although energy sources such as wind and solar energy can achieve zero emissions when generating electricity, they rely on wind and the sun, and this supply does not always meet demand. Similarly, nuclear power plants are more efficient when operating at maximum capacity, and therefore cannot increase or decrease power generation based on demand. For decades, energy researchers have tried to solve a major challenge, namely, how to store excess electricity so that it can be released back to the grid when needed? According to foreign media reports, recently, Idaho National Laboratory (Idaho National Laboratory) researchers have developed a new electrode material for electrochemical cells, to solve the above problems. This type of battery can efficiently convert excess electricity and water into hydrogen. When the demand for electricity increases, the electrochemical cell can in turn convert hydrogen into electricity for use in the power grid. The hydrogen produced can also be used as fuel for heating, vehicles or other purposes. Researchers have long recognized the potential of hydrogen as an energy storage medium, so they improved a battery called a proton ceramic electrochemical cell (PCEC), which can use electricity to decompose steam into hydrogen and oxygen. However, in the past, such devices had limitations, especially when working at high temperatures up to 800 degrees Celsius. High temperatures require expensive materials and will accelerate the degradation of materials, thereby making the cost of electrochemical cells extremely high. In this study, the researchers described a new type of oxygen electrode material that is a conductor that can simultaneously promote water decomposition and oxygen reduction reactions. Unlike most electrochemical batteries, this new material is a perovskite compound oxide, which allows the battery to convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity without additional hydrogen. Prior to this, the researchers had developed a 3D grid-like structure for the electrode, so that its surface area is larger, to split the water into hydrogen and oxygen. The combination of the 3D grid electrode and the new electrode material allows the battery to be self-sufficient at 400 to 600 degrees Celsius and reversible. The researchers said: "We have proved that the PCEC can perform reversible operation at such low temperatures, and can decompose water into hydrogen without any external hydrogen supply, and then convert it into electricity to achieve self-sufficiency. In the past, oxygen electrodes only conducted electrons and oxygen ions, while the new perovskite was able to conduct "triple conduction", that is, to conduct electrons, oxygen ions, and protons. In practical applications, the electrode capable of triple conduction will react faster and be more efficient, so it can reduce the operating temperature while maintaining good performance. In the future, researchers hope to continue to combine innovative materials with cutting-edge manufacturing processes and continue to improve the electrochemical cell so that the technology can be applied on an industrial scale. (Yu Qiuyun) Plastic Hanger,Plastic Coated Hanger,Plastic Suit Hanger,Thick Plastic Hanger Shaoxing Jiandong Metalware Co.,Ltd. , https://www.laundry-jd.com
(Source: Idaho National Laboratory)