Grant: Strategic Projects - Group

Electrolytic gas evolution reactions (GERs) are important in numerous electrochemical reactions and processes like alkaline water and chlorine electrolysis. The efficiency of such electrochemical processes depend on the proper choice of electrocatalytic materials that can achieve high reaction rates (i.e. high current densities) at the lowest possible overpotential. However, the formation of adhering bubbles at the electrode surface has a detrimental effect on the cell performance by decreasing the contact between the catalyst surface and the reactants, as well as increasing the ohmic drop. The overarching goal of this proposal is to foster passive management of bubbles through nano-engineering of the electrode surface. Thus, a comprehensive study of the effect of nano-morphology of the electrode surface will be undertaken with the objectives of decreasing bubble size, adhesion force and residence time. This will be achieved using additive manufacturing approach leveraging the expertise of our industrial partners (NRC-Boucherville, Centerline and Vac Aero) with the objective of developing new knowledge AND identifying a proper way to mass produce electrodes with improved passive gas bubbles management on scales required for integration into manufacturing products for said markets like water electrolysers in conjunction with Hydrogenics. In terms of operating parameters, improved management of gas bubbles at GER electrodes will have several benefits: (i) strong diminution of gas blanketing; (2) enhance local heat/mass transfer coefficients, therefore permitting higher current density operation, and (3) use of bubble flow and gas lift to minimize parasitic losses from external fluid management in near-zero gap electrochemical cells that will translate into reduced overpotentials, increased current density, and higher overall process efficiency. A total of 10 HQPs are going to be trained, including 2PhDs, 2MScs, 2PDFs and 4 undergraduates.