In the quest for cleaner energy, hydrogen has emerged as a promising contender, and alkaline electrolysis is a key player in its production. Researchers have long sought ways to enhance the efficiency of this process, and a recent study published in Heliyon, the journal, offers a compelling breakthrough. The study, led by Miguel Angel Cerro-Ramírez from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, UPIIH, in Mexico, delves into the intriguing world of residual stress fields and their impact on cathodic electrodes used in alkaline electrolysis.
The research focuses on two types of electrodes: a heat-treated stainless-steel cathode (CHT) and a heat-treated stainless-steel cathode with shot peening treatment (CRS). Shot peening, a process that involves bombarding the surface with small, spherical particles, has been found to induce a residual stress field that significantly enhances the electrode’s performance. “The induction of the residual stress field with the shot peening treatment was evaluated using X-ray diffraction,” Cerro-Ramírez explains. This treatment resulted in a staggering 420% increase in the active surface area of the CRS electrode compared to the CHT electrode.
The implications of this discovery are profound. The CRS electrode demonstrated superior performance in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), a critical process in hydrogen production. This improvement is attributed to three key factors: an increased active area, enhanced surface roughness that minimizes bubble retention, and the presence of induced residual stresses that boost HER kinetics. “These findings highlight the potential to further enhance the performance and durability of alkaline electrolysis through innovative designs tailored for industrial applications,” Cerro-Ramírez notes.
The commercial impacts of this research are significant. The shot peening technique offers a more straightforward surface preparation compared to conventional electrochemical surface coating processes. This simplicity could lead to cost savings and increased efficiency in hydrogen production, making it a more viable option for the energy sector. The lower Tafel slope of the CRS electrode, at 113 mV dec−1 compared to the CHT electrode’s 125 mV dec−1, is a key indicator of this improved efficiency.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, innovations like this one could pave the way for more efficient and sustainable hydrogen production. The research published in Heliyon, which translates to “healthy” in English, underscores the potential of residual stress fields and shot peening techniques in revolutionizing alkaline electrolysis. This study not only advances our understanding of electrode performance but also opens new avenues for industrial applications, potentially reshaping the future of clean energy production.
