The influence of cathode characteristics of the hydronic current source with aluminium anode on its operation effectiveness in the mode of a hydrogen generator

Аuthors

Kravchenko L. L., Okorokova N. S.^*, Pushkin K. V.^**, Sevruk S. D.^***, Farmakovskaya A. A.^****

Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), 4, Volokolamskoe shosse, Moscow, А-80, GSP-3, 125993, Russia

*e-mail: ok.nadezhda@mail.ru
**e-mail: konstantin-val@yandex.ru
***e-mail: sds46@yandex.ru
****e-mail: a.a.farmakovskaya@gmail.com

Abstract

The polarization characteristics of smooth nickel cathodes, notched nickel mesh cathodes, the composite cathode made both from smooth nickel and notched nickel mesh, the electrodes made from notched nickel grid coated with NiPx catalyst and platinum foil electrodes in alkaline and neutral salt electrolytes have been studied for the hydronic chemical current source (CCS) with aluminium anode. It was shown that the use of the extended surface cathodes activated by NiPx catalyst that allow to increase the element voltage by more than 250 mV in alkaline electrolyte and about 180 mV in neutral electrolyte is the promising way to improve energy mass and overall characteristics of the hydronic CCS operating in the mode of hydrogen generator for oxygen-hydrogen fuel cells of aviation, rocket and space equipment.

Keywords:

aluminium, cathode, water, hydrogen, generator, catalyst, fuel cell, chemical current source, electrolyte.