Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Power2Hype (Electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from water, air and renewable electric energy)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30
The Power2HyPe project focuses on developing a sustainable, energy-efficient process for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production using renewable electricity, water, and air. Traditional H2O2 production methods are centralized, resource-intensive, and involve hazardous chemicals, presenting environmental and logistical challenges. Power2HyPe aims to address these issues by creating a decentralized, flexible electrochemical production model that operates closer to end-users, generating H2O2 in final-required concentration, reducing both environmental impact and transportation costs.
The electrochemical process focuses on achieving high efficiency through the concept of paired electrolysis, where hydrogen peroxide is generated simultaneously at both the cathode and anode of the electrochemical cell. This dual-generation approach can potentially double the current efficiency, leading to greater yields with less energy consumption. The project’s objectives include the development of optimized cell components (catalyst materials, gas diffusion electrodes and membranes), the design and integration of a scalable electrochemical process, the construction of a custom-made stack-electrolyzer, and the piloting of the technology in real-world industrial environments. Additionally, Power2HyPe will assess the economic and environmental sustainability of the new process, while formulating strategies for its commercial exploitation, ensuring the technology's long-term viability and impact.
The Power2HyPe project aims to revolutionize hydrogen peroxide production by introducing a novel, electrochemical process that is both efficient and sustainable, addressing the global need for cleaner industrial practices. By integrating renewable energy sources and reducing reliance on traditional, resource-intensive methods, the project aligns with key political and strategic goals for carbon reduction and sustainability. The anticipated outcomes of Power2HyPe have the potential to significantly impact the chemical industry, offering scalable solutions that contribute to the decarbonization of industrial processes and support the transition to a circular economy.
The electrochemical process focuses on achieving high efficiency through the concept of paired electrolysis, where hydrogen peroxide is generated simultaneously at both the cathode and anode of the electrochemical cell. This dual-generation approach can potentially double the current efficiency, leading to greater yields with less energy consumption. The project’s objectives include the development of optimized cell components (catalyst materials, gas diffusion electrodes and membranes), the design and integration of a scalable electrochemical process, the construction of a custom-made stack-electrolyzer, and the piloting of the technology in real-world industrial environments. Additionally, Power2HyPe will assess the economic and environmental sustainability of the new process, while formulating strategies for its commercial exploitation, ensuring the technology's long-term viability and impact.
The Power2HyPe project aims to revolutionize hydrogen peroxide production by introducing a novel, electrochemical process that is both efficient and sustainable, addressing the global need for cleaner industrial practices. By integrating renewable energy sources and reducing reliance on traditional, resource-intensive methods, the project aligns with key political and strategic goals for carbon reduction and sustainability. The anticipated outcomes of Power2HyPe have the potential to significantly impact the chemical industry, offering scalable solutions that contribute to the decarbonization of industrial processes and support the transition to a circular economy.
The Power2HyPe project has made significant progress toward developing a novel, electrochemical process for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production.
One of the primary advancements is the development of carbon-based catalysts for the cathode, specifically engineered to enhance the selectivity and efficiency of cathodic H2O2 production. These catalysts are immobilized into optimized gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs), which enhance the stable and efficient diffusion of the gases required for the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction. On the anodic side, boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes have been developed, demonstrating exceptional performance in the anodic H2O2 generation, which is essential to the successful implementation of the paired electrolysis concept. To ensure the efficiency of these processes, advances in membrane composition has been made to design chemically resistant materials. These tailored membranes are designed to withstand H2O2 and ensure effective ion transport within the electrochemical cell, also ensuring long-term performance.
Complementing these innovations, a customized electrochemical cell and stacks have been designed. Supported by simulations, these cells are optimized for the paired electrolysis process, allowing for the simultaneous operation of both cathodic and anodic reactions. This integration has been carefully planned to ensure scalability and efficiency in the transition from laboratory settings to industrial applications.
Both the cathodic and anodic processes have been refined to achieve high current densities and efficiencies. Substantial improvements have been obtained in both Faradaic efficiency and energy efficiency, critical indicators for maximizing the overall yield and minimizing energy consumption. Optimization of operation parameters have focused on electrolyte composition, current densities, and cell configurations.
One of the primary advancements is the development of carbon-based catalysts for the cathode, specifically engineered to enhance the selectivity and efficiency of cathodic H2O2 production. These catalysts are immobilized into optimized gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs), which enhance the stable and efficient diffusion of the gases required for the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction. On the anodic side, boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes have been developed, demonstrating exceptional performance in the anodic H2O2 generation, which is essential to the successful implementation of the paired electrolysis concept. To ensure the efficiency of these processes, advances in membrane composition has been made to design chemically resistant materials. These tailored membranes are designed to withstand H2O2 and ensure effective ion transport within the electrochemical cell, also ensuring long-term performance.
Complementing these innovations, a customized electrochemical cell and stacks have been designed. Supported by simulations, these cells are optimized for the paired electrolysis process, allowing for the simultaneous operation of both cathodic and anodic reactions. This integration has been carefully planned to ensure scalability and efficiency in the transition from laboratory settings to industrial applications.
Both the cathodic and anodic processes have been refined to achieve high current densities and efficiencies. Substantial improvements have been obtained in both Faradaic efficiency and energy efficiency, critical indicators for maximizing the overall yield and minimizing energy consumption. Optimization of operation parameters have focused on electrolyte composition, current densities, and cell configurations.
The Power2HyPe project has achieved significant advancements in the field of electrochemical hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, going beyond current literature-reported standards. Besides remarkable progress in both cathodic and anodic half-cells separately, one of the standout achievements is the development of paired electrolysis technology, which enables the simultaneous production of H2O2 at both the cathode and anode, drastically improving current efficiency—potentially up to 200 %. This dual approach is a breakthrough compared to traditional H2O2 production methods, as it reduces energy consumption and allows for more efficient use of resources.
Key innovations include the materials development of carbon-based catalysts for the cathode and boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes for the anodic process. The project's focus on high current densities and energy efficiencies has set new benchmarks in the electrochemical production of H2O2. Additionally, advancements in membrane technology, such as the development of H2O2-resistant membranes, have improved ion transport and overall system stability.
To ensure scalability, Power2HyPe has designed customized electrochemical cells and stacks. These cells have been optimized for industrial-scale operations through simulations, with both cathodic and anodic processes fine-tuned to achieve high Faradaic efficiencies. The shift from lab-scale experiments to pilot-scale demonstrations will further validate the commercial viability of this innovative process.
The project has identified key factors for further uptake, such as the need for additional research to optimize long-term stability of materials, optimizing and operating the large-scale demonstration, and the establishment of a supportive regulatory framework.
Key innovations include the materials development of carbon-based catalysts for the cathode and boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes for the anodic process. The project's focus on high current densities and energy efficiencies has set new benchmarks in the electrochemical production of H2O2. Additionally, advancements in membrane technology, such as the development of H2O2-resistant membranes, have improved ion transport and overall system stability.
To ensure scalability, Power2HyPe has designed customized electrochemical cells and stacks. These cells have been optimized for industrial-scale operations through simulations, with both cathodic and anodic processes fine-tuned to achieve high Faradaic efficiencies. The shift from lab-scale experiments to pilot-scale demonstrations will further validate the commercial viability of this innovative process.
The project has identified key factors for further uptake, such as the need for additional research to optimize long-term stability of materials, optimizing and operating the large-scale demonstration, and the establishment of a supportive regulatory framework.