Electrode, Zero-Gap Electrolyzer, Use and Method

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention covers an electrode and membrane-electrode unit designed for use in a zero-gap electrolyzer, where the key innovation is the incorporation of a metal phthalocyanine compound as the catalytic material. Zero-gap electrolyzers are highly efficient devices used to produce chemicals or fuels (such as hydrogen or CO₂ reduction products) by passing electricity through water or other electrolytes, with the electrodes pressed directly against the membrane to minimize resistance. Metal phthalocyanines are low-cost, molecularly defined catalysts that can replace or supplement expensive precious metals like platinum or iridium. The invention also covers the manufacturing process for such electrodes and the specific use of metal phthalocyanines in this electrolyzer context.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Electrolytic production of hydrogen via water splitting in zero-gap electrolyzers for green hydrogen energy applications.
• Electrochemical CO₂ reduction to value-added products such as carbon monoxide, formate, or ethylene in industrial carbon capture and utilization systems.
• Low-cost electrode fabrication for proton exchange membrane (PEM) or anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzers in renewable energy storage systems.
• Development of precious-metal-free cathodes for large-scale electrolysis plants seeking to reduce capital and operational costs.
• Research and production of membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) for next-generation electrolyzers in the chemical and energy industries.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Metal phthalocyanines provide an effective catalytic alternative to expensive precious metals such as platinum or iridium, significantly reducing electrode material costs.
• Integration into a zero-gap architecture minimizes the ohmic resistance between electrode and membrane, improving overall energy efficiency.
• Metal phthalocyanines are molecularly tunable, allowing the catalytic selectivity and activity to be optimized for specific electrochemical reactions (e.g., CO₂ reduction or oxygen reduction).
• The use of earth-abundant transition metals (e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel) in phthalocyanine complexes improves the sustainability and supply-chain resilience of the electrolyzer.
• The invention provides a defined manufacturing process for the electrode, enabling reproducible and scalable production of high-performance membrane-electrode units.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to an electrode and a membrane-electrode assembly for a zero-gap electrolyzer, a zero-gap electrolyzer, a use of a metal phthalocyanine, and a method for producing an electrode. An electrode (1, 1a, 1b) for a zero-gap electrolyzer (11) comprises a metal phthalocyanine (4). In this way, a particularly effective and cost-efficient catalyst can be provided.