Magical 3D printing: penetrating electrodes that can optimize electrochemical reactors

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energy
Hot, just like the star of tomorrow. How to optimize the utility of renewable energy,3D printingAs a feasible and universal “quick method” for circulating electrodes, a way to maximize reactor performance is playing an important role!Scientists and engineers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory LLNL used3D printingElectrodes (FTEs) are the core components of electrochemical reactors that convert CO2 and other molecules into high-quality products.

3D printingTechnology, as a revolutionary industrial technology emerging in recent years, has shown a rapid growth trend that was unexpected in all walks of life.
Medical treatment
, Environmental protection and other industries also have many gratifying applications.3D printingOr it can offer a “good prescription” for the development of renewable energy.

Engineers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory obtained the first graphene aerogel3D printingFlow-through electrodes (FTEs)-porous electrodes responsible for the reactions in the reactor.pass through3D printing, The researchers proved that they can “customize” the flow, greatly improving the mass transfer of liquid or gaseous reactants through the electrode and to the reaction surface. Image courtesy of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

LLNL engineer Victor Beck said: “We are exploring the use of three-dimensional reactors to accurately control the local reaction environment. New high-performance electrodes will be an important part of the next generation of electrochemical reactor architecture. We can use3D printingThe control function of the electrode structure is used to design the local flow to form a complex inertial flow pattern, thereby improving the performance of the reactor. “pass through3D printingThe researchers proved that by controlling the geometry of the flow channel of the electrode, the electrochemical reaction can be optimized while maximizing the shortcomings of traditional FTE. Traditionally, it is generally a “disordered” medium, such as carbon fiber-based foam or felt, and it is difficult to control the microstructure.Co-author Swetha Chandrasekaran said: “By3D printingAdvanced materials such as carbon aerogels may build macroporous networks in these materials without compromising physical properties such as electrical conductivity and surface area. “

The team demonstrated that the previous3D printingIn comparison, the mass transfer of the crystal structure printed by the ink direct writing method is enhanced by 1-2 orders of magnitude, and the performance is comparable to that of traditional materials. The researchers said that since the commercial feasibility and versatility of electrochemical reactors depend on obtaining greater mass transfer, increasing the FTE flow will provide a more attractive option for solving the global energy crisis.improve3D printingThe performance and predictability of the electrode also make it suitable for amplifying reactors for high-efficiency electrochemical converters. Co-author Anna Ivanovskaya said: “Engineers will be able to design and manufacture structures optimized for specific processes. With the development of manufacturing technology,3D printingElectrodes may replace the disordered electrodes of traditional liquid and gas type reactors. “

Scientists and engineers at LLNL are currently exploring the use of electrochemical reactors in a range of applications, including the conversion of carbon dioxide into useful fuels and polymers, and electrochemical energy storage to further utilize carbon-free, renewable resources for power generation. Through photopolymerization 3D printing technology, such as projection micro-stereolithography and two-photon lithography, stronger electrodes and reactor components can be produced with higher resolution.The team will also use high-performance computing to design better-performing structures, and continue to deploy in larger and more complex reactors and full electrochemical cells3D printingelectrode.

Source: Inertially enhanced mass transport using 3D-printed porous flow-through electrodes with periodic lattice structures, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2021).

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