Colloid & Nanoscience Journal

Colloid & Nanoscience Journal

Novel PEM SO₂-depolarized electrolyzer with Pt Nanoparticles on Vulcan XC-72: Theory and experiment for H₂ production

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Syamak Nasiri Kokhdan
Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Gas and Petroleum, Yasouj University, Gachsaran, Iran
Abstract
The present study is dedicated to the new design and evaluation in the field of electrochemical reaction processing, conducted using experimental and theoretical validations alongside thermodynamic, economic, and life cycle analyses. The findings indicate that electrochemical reaction processes offer higher efficiency and lower hydrogen production costs compared to other methods. Among water-splitting processes, the hybrid-sulfur cycle (as a thermochemical cycle) was selected as a highly promising candidate due to its potential for higher efficiency and lower costs relative to alkaline water electrolysis. In this context, SO₂-depolarized electrolysis plays a critical role in the hybrid-sulfur process. The experimental section investigates the effects of several key parameters including temperature, differential pressure, current density, differential voltage, and electrolyte concentration, as well as membrane electrode assembly preparation conditions such as resin content in the Pt nanoparticle loaded on Vulcan carbon XC-72 catalyst layers, hot-press temperature, and catalyst loading on the performance of SO₂-depolarized electrolysis. In the theoretical part the activation energy and energy barrier of the chemical reaction of hydrogen generation, calculations have been carried out at B3LYP/6-311+G(d) level of theory. Vibrational frequencies and relative energies for all stationary points were determined. Transition states were identified and confirmed by intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations.

Graphical Abstract

Novel PEM SO₂-depolarized electrolyzer with Pt Nanoparticles on Vulcan XC-72: Theory and experiment for H₂ production
Keywords
Hybrid Sulfur (HyS)
Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM)
SO2-Depolarized Electrolysis (SDE)
Membrane Electrode Aassembly (MEA)
Homogeneous deposition (HD)
Ethylene glycol (EG)
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Colloid & Nanoscience Journal
Volume 4, Issue 2
In Press
Summer 2026

  • Receive Date 18 July 2026
  • Revise Date 29 July 2026
  • Accept Date 31 July 2026
  • Publish Date 01 July 2026