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4720871 
Journal Article 
Solid polymer electrolyte water electrolysis systems for hydrogen production based on our newly developed membranes, Part I: Analysis of voltage-current characteristics 
Sawada, S; Yamaki, T; Maeno, T; Asano, M; Suzuki, A; Terai, T; Maekawa, Y 
2008 
1 
Progress in Nuclear Energy
ISSN: 0149-1970 
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD 
OXFORD 
50 
2-6 
443-448 
English 
WOS:000254598500065 
A new solid polymer electrolyte water electrolysis system was constructed using an original proton exchange membrane (PEM). The highly proton-conductive PEM was prepared by the gamma-ray-induced post-grafting of styrene into a crosslinked-polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film and subsequent sulfonation. The water vapor to be electrolyzed was controlled at a constant relative humidity and introduced into the cell at different temperatures up to 80 degrees C. As the cell voltage was increased, the current became higher; the maximum current was 50 mA/cm(2) at 2.5 V at a temperature of 80 degrees C, corresponding to a hydrogen production rate of 0.38 mL/min cm(2) in the normal state (25 degrees C, 1 atm). The voltage-current characteristics were analyzed with a theoretical model based on Butler-Volmer kinetics for electrodes and transport resistance through the PEM. This analysis revealed that the anode exchange current density and interfacial resistance determined the electrolysis performance. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 
solid polymer electrolyte water electrolysis; crosslinked-PTFE electrolyte membrane; voltage-current characteristics; electrode activation overvoltage; transport overvoltage 
COE-INES 2nd International Symposium on Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems for Sustainable Development of the World 
Yokohama, JAPAN