Work

Evaluation of Electrolyzer Efficiency by Motion Tracking of Chemically Driven Electromagnets

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Water splitting is one of the most efficient approaches to clean hydrogen production. Assessing electrolyzer performance requires evaluating the efficiency of electrocatalysts. Herein, a motion‐based method is presented that combines bipolar electrochemistry (BE) with dynamic, chemically induced electromagnets to probe the electrocatalytic efficiency of water splitting. With this approach, redox reactions are triggered in a wireless way at both extremities of a solenoid‐shaped electrolyzer composed by different metal catalysts. The resulting current follows the helical coil, producing a concentrated magnetic field that drives rotational motion in the presence of an external magnetic field without traditional ferromagnetic materials. A direct correlation between the angular velocity and the catalyst efficiency is obtained. Furthermore, by applying an alternating electric field, the resulting device behaves as a direction‐sensitive dynamic electrolyzer, with its angular velocity determined by which catalyst serves as the anode or cathode, respectively. This strategy provides a simple, wireless readout for catalyst screening, offering a new tool for hydrogen generation research.

Source: ChemElectroChem

DOI: 10.1002/celc.202500365

Authors: Cara Lozon, Patrick Garrigue, Alexander Kuhn, Gerardo Salinas

Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Bordeaux, Institut des Sciences Moléculaires, Institut Polytechnique de Bordeaux

Language: English

Topic: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,750