3D-printed electrodes with improved mass transport properties

Today's electrochemical reactor design is a less developed discipline as compared to the electrocatalytic synthesis. While catalysts show increasing conversion rates, they are often operated without measures for the reduction of concentration polarization effects. As a result, a stagnant boundary layer forms at the electrode-electrolyte interface. This stagnant boundary layer presents an additional voltage drop and reduces the energy efficiency. It is generally accepted that this phenomenon is caused by a combination of fast electrode reactions and slow diffusion of the reacting species. Our earlier work demonstrated the potential of non-conducting static mixers to reduce concentration polarization effects. However, there are few studies on conductive static mixers applied as electrodes. In this study we present a new concept of additive manufactured flow through electrode mixers. Our electrode geometry combines a high surface area with mixing properties, diminishing concentration polarization effects of transport limited reactions. Mass transport properties of these conductive static mixers are evaluated in an additive manufactured electrochemical reactor under controlled conditions by applying the limiting-current method.