Experimental investigation of new coating methods for 3D-printed cathodes for hydrogen production

Abstract

This thesis presents a novel approach for preparing electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction. A new approach where the electrolysis cathodes are 3D-printed and coated for alkaline water electrolysis. Copper, iron, and molybdenum are considered with nickel as coatings using electrodeposition. The results are obtained from electrochemical measurements and hydrogen production testing. The electrochemical activity of the electrodes is improved with the addition of catalysts. Higher current densities are obtained at the same potential for electrodes with more metal deposition of the same coating metal. Relatively low overpotentials of 270 mV and 275 mV are obtained at 10 mA/cm2 current density for nickel-iron and nickel-copper coated 3D-printed electrodes respectively. A new flow-through electrode design introduced showed to have 70% higher efficiency than the coated 3D-printed electrode of the conventional design. 3D printing provides a safe design place for exploring unconventional electrode designs for improving electrolysis performance and efficiency.