Energy consumption of the electrolytic hydrogen production using Zn–Co–Mo based activators—Part I

Alkaline water electrolysis is one of the easiest methods for hydrogen production. Simplicity and usefulness are the two main features that characterize this method. The challenges for widespread use of water electrolysis are to reduce energy consumption, cost, durability and safety.In our investigation we obtain the results about energy efficiency system with the addition of ionic activators (i.a.) – Co(en)3Cl3, Na2MoO4 and ZnCl2, in 6 M KOH solution. The requirements per mass unit of hydrogen produced are reduced up to 15% just using simplified process of the in situ activation with d-metals. The most important result of this study is that obtained deposit exhibit long-term stability at elevated temperatures and high current densities, like industrial conditions.

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► Investigation on the energy consumption at Zn–Co–Mo catalyst for the HER.
► Zn–Co–Mo catalyst electrodeposited in situ under working conditions of the industrial electrolyser.
► Zn–Co–Mo catalyst reveals lowering of the energy consumption compared to industrial nickel electrodes.