Alkaline electrolysis cell at high temperature and pressure of 250 °C and 42 bar

A new type of alkaline electrolysis cells with nickel foam based gas diffusion electrodes and KOH (aq) immobilized in mesoporous SrTiO3 has been developed and tested at temperatures and pressures up to 250 °C and 42 bar, respectively. Current densities of 1.0 A cm−2 have been measured at a cell voltage of 1.5 V without the use of expensive noble metal catalysts. High electrical efficiency and current density combined with relatively small production costs may lead to both reduced investment and operating costs for hydrogen and oxygen production.

► A new type of an alkaline electrolysis cells has been developed.
► Metal foam based gas diffusion electrodes with Ag electro-catalyst were used.
► Potassium hydroxide as electrolyte was immobilized in a porous SrTiO3 structure.
► The cells have shown to operate at temperatures up to 250 °C at 42 bar.
► Current densities of 1.0 A cm−2 and 2.0 A cm−2 have been measured at 1.5 V and 1.75 V.