Effect of Nafion Ionomer on Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis of Benzyl Alcohol

Abstract

With the growth of sustainable energy technologies, solid polymer electrolyte electrolysis systems are regarded as a promising technology and have gained considerable attention. This study clarified the effect of Nafion ionomer in the electrode in SPE electrolysis systems. The content of Nafion ionomer in the catalyst-free anode affected the oxidation behavior of benzyl alcohol (BnOH) because Nafion ionomer provides a continuous network of proton-conducting channels to the carbon paper electrode as the reaction sites of BnOH. The present study emphasized the importance of the proton conduction pathway of Nafion ionomer in the PEM electrolysis for organic molecules.