Visual Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) Electrolytic Cell
Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) Electrolytic Cell, Transparent Observable Reactor
Electrochemical cell designed for electrocatalysis of CO2RR, HERs and fuel cells, Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) Electrolyzer, Visual MEA Electrolyzer, Observable MEA Electrolyzer
A visual membrane electrode assembly (MEA) electrolytic cell is multilayer structured observable electrochemical cell with a central ion-conducting membrane sandwiched between a catalyst-loaded anode and cathode, sided by gas diffusion layers. The transparent parts are made of acrylic, and the outermost layers on the left and right are hollow metal pressure plates to secure the device and allow observation windows. The "zero-gap" design enables a direct contact of the catalyst and membrane to enhance the catalytic reaction performance by improving mass transfer and enabling high current densities. The membrane electrode assembly is the core unit where catalytic electrochemical reactions happen. The ion-conducting membrane could be a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) or anion exchange membrane (AEM) to allow exchange of proton or ions for efficient hydrogen production by AEM or PEM water electrolysis.
The membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) is also an effective system for carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR), a process that uses electrical energy to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into other valuable chemical products like carbon monoxide (CO), formic acid (HCOOH), methane (CH4), or ethylene (C2H4). Apart from the CO2RR, the MEA electrolytic cell can also be employed for seawater electrolysis, electrosynthesis of cyclohexanone coupled with hydrogen production, electrosynthesis of chlorine, lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction reaction (Li-NRR), i.e. ammonia synthesis, electrochemical urea oxidation, and electrocatalytic waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling.
Note: The intermediate flow plate material is titanium. Flow channel sizes are available in 10*10mm, 20*20mm. Flow channel depth (1.5mm) and width (1.5mm)
| Product code | Channel Material | Chanel Size | Channel Width | Channel Depth |
| C2038A1 | Titanium | 10mm*10mm | 1.5mm | 1.5mm |
| C2038C1 | Titanium | 20mm*20mm | 1.5mm | 1.5mm |
Key features of the visual membrane electrode assembly (MEA) electrolytic cell
- Cell configuration: The MEA consists of a cathode, an anode, and a membrane sandwiched between them
- Observation windows: Transparent acrylic parts allow visual effect of the core unit where electrochemical reactions happen
- Ion-exchange membrane: The membrane allows ions to migrate while prevents the gas permeation and products to mix, which is critical for efficiency and safety in applications like fuel cells and water electrolysis. The membrane also separates the anode and cathode, providing electrical insulation between the two sides of the cell.
- Zero-gap design: The zero-gap design minimizes the distance between the membrane and the electrodes to reduce ohmic resistance.
Specifications
Literature and Reviews
- Q. Ye et al. (2023), Advances and challenges in membrane electrode assembly electrolyzers for CO2 reduction, J. Mater. Chem. A, 11, 21498-21515; DOI: 10.1039/d3ta03757f.
- N. Zhu et al. (2023), Integration of MnO2 Nanosheets with Pd Nanoparticles for Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to Methanol in Membrane Electrode Assembly Electrolyzers, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 145 (45), 24852–24861; DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09307.
- Y. Sun et al. (2024), Anchoring Cs+ Ions on Carbon Vacancies for Selective CO2 Electroreduction to CO at High Current Densities in Membrane Electrode Assembly Electrolyzers, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 136 (40), e202410802; DOI: 10.1002/ange.202410802.