Ionic activators in the electrolytic production of hydrogen - Cost reduction-analysis of the cathode

Abstract

As recent technology progress makes hydrogen a realistic long-term energy option with little or no pollution, development of new methods for its production and improvement of conventional technology is important. In spite of the fact that, among overall world technologies for hydrogen production today, only 4% is produced by electrolysis, this is the most promising method in the future as a consequence of the high existing water supply. The limitation factor for its use on the large scale is well known-high energy consumption. In this work, methods for increasing efficiency and lowering the energy consumption in the electrolytic hydrogen production are presented. The stability of ionic activators, as an indicator of capital cost, are also shown, as are an analysis of composition, structure and morphology characteristic of cathode, formed in the presence as ionic activators. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.