Fig. 2: Pore size effects on performance and bubble dynamics.
From: Bubble dynamics matters at high-rate water electrolysis
a Polarization and iR-free curves for AEMWE with the stainless steel felt-based anode with different pore sizes (geometric area: 4 cm2, 2.0 × 2.0 cm). b Tafel slope and iR-free cell voltage. c Breakdown of each overpotential at different current densities. (operating conditions: 80 °C, PiperION A membrane (60 µm), the Pt/C cathode at a Pt loading of 0.5 mg cm−2, the anode is supplied with 1 M KOH solution at 5 ml min−1). MT: Mass transport. d SEM image and bubble behaviors in stainless steel felts with different pore sizes. Scale bar: 100 μm. (operating conditions: room temperature (25 ± 2 °C), 0.4 A cm−2, 1 M KOH, three electrode H-cell tests, in-plane direction parallel to the ground). e Schematic illustration depicting how varying pore sizes influence bubble behaviors at the anode and the diffusion of water through the membrane towards the cathode. f EIS curves and DRT analysis at 1.0 A cm−2. (γ(τ): distribution of the relaxation times, (f) (Hz): characteristic frequency related to different electrochemical processes). Source data are provided as a Source Data file.
