Harnessing magnetic fields to accelerate oxygen evolution reaction

doi:10.1016/S1872-2067(23)64560-7

Abstract

Abstract:

The challenge of overcoming the bottleneck in water electrolysis can potentially be addressed by utilizing permanent magnets without extra energy consumption, but the underlying mechanism of magnetic field effects is still puzzling despite increasing efforts in last few years. In this work, by dip-coating a superhydrophilic γ-Fe₂O₃ layer onto different electrode substrates, their surface wettability and magnetism are modified, so the ever-tangled effects of magnetic field are separated and identified. It is determined that the primary contribution of magnetic fields at the high current density was due to additional Lorentz force and Kelvin force exerted on oxygen gas bubble, with the former being dependent on the external magnetic field’s geometry and the latter closely tied to the electrodes’ magnetism. Strategies to maximize effects of magnetic field as well as the overall efficiency of water electrolysis is proposed.

Key words: Water splitting, Magnetic field, Gas release, Lorentz force, Kelvin force

Xiaoning Li, Chongyan Hao, Yumeng Du, Yun Lu, Yameng Fan, Mingyue Wang, Nana Wang, Ruijin Meng, Xiaolin Wang, Zhichuan J. Xu, Zhenxiang Cheng. Harnessing magnetic fields to accelerate oxygen evolution reaction[J]. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2023, 55: 191-199.

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URL: https://www.cjcatal.com/EN/10.1016/S1872-2067(23)64560-7

https://www.cjcatal.com/EN/Y2023/V55/I12/191

Figures/Tables 4

Fig. 2. OER performance of NF and γ-Fe2O3@NF and that under magnetic fields. (a) LSV curves with scan rate of 5 mV s?1 in 1 mol L?1 KOH solution without iR-correction. (b) Tafel plots converted from LSV curves. (c) Nyquist plots obtained from EIS tests at 1.6 V. (d,e) CA curves at 1.77 and 1.65 V on the NF and γ-Fe2O3@NF electrodes respectively, with an 0.4 T magnetic field applied during periods of 2nd?4th mins and 6th?8th mins. The inset shows the contact angles (θ) under a magnetic field. (f) Illustration of each setup.

Fig. 1. Surface wettability and morphology of γ-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe2O3@NF. (a) Contact angle (θ) image of bare NF (not CV-stabilized); inset is the photograph of a NF electrode. (b) Contact angle (θ) image of γ-Fe2O3@NF; inset are the photographs of a γ-Fe2O3@NF electrode, and the γ-Fe2O3 hydrosol taken one year later after preparation. (c) STEM image of γ-Fe2O3 hydrosol; inset is the size distribution. (d) HAADF image of γ-Fe2O3 hydrosol; inset is the FFT pattern. (e) SEM image of NF and the elemental mapping. (f) SEM image of γ-Fe2O3@NF and the elemental mapping.

Fig. 3. Property and performance of carbon-based electrodes under magnetic fields. (a) CA curves recorded around 70 mA cm?2 with a stirring during 2nd?4th mins and 6th?8th mins. (b) M-H loops of NF and γ-Fe2O3@NF at room temperature. (c,e,g) CA curves recorded on the γ-Fe2O3@CPaper, CPaper, and CCloth electrodes respectively, with an ~0.4 T MF applied during periods of 2nd?4th mins and 6th?8th mins (noted as Stirring when stirring instead). (d,f,h) Images of these electrodes, contact angle (θ), and M-H loops at room temperature. (i) Corresponding information of CCloth-Treated electrodes.

Fig. 4. Mechanism study on the magnetic field effects at high current density. (a) Illustration of MF induced Lorentz force (FLore) acting on the O2 gas bubble for Setup 3. (b) Simulation of the MF in air and the redistribution of MF due to the presence of Ni for Setup 2. Static force analysis on an O2 gas bubble (c) without MF, (d,e) with MF-related forces. All illustrations are the projections on the xz plane.

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