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Fe3+-mediated coal-assisted water electrolysis for hydrogen production: Evolution of coal structure oxidation via direct current and chaotic electric fields

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  • Ma, Youcai
  • Xi, Shuangli
  • Li, Xiaoting
  • Li, Jingrui
  • Tao, Changyuan
  • Liu, Zuohua

Abstract

Understanding the interplay of electrical energy input strategies with coal and its influence on coal oxidation in coal-assisted water electrolysis for hydrogen production (CAWE) is pivotal for enhancing rates and deepening insights into its potential. In this study, coal was pretreated in an autoclave by adding Fe3+, the electrolytic characteristics and hydrogen production efficiency of coal-water slurry (CWS) before and after heat treatment under direct current (DC) and chaotic current (CC) electric fields were investigated. The results show that an increase in the hydrothermal treatment temperature leads to an enhancement in original reactivity of coal, with a maximum current density achievable up to 100 mA/cm2. Chaotic electric field can achieve a hydrogen purity of 99 % (I = 100 mA), and the cell voltage of CC is approximately 0.2 V lower compared to that of DC (I = 300 mA). Extension of electrolysis time results in increasing the content of C=O, COOH, and C-O on the coal surface after CC electrolysis, while the microcrystalline parameters decrease. The Fe3+/Fe2+ cycle is a crucial step in the CAWE, a mechanism is proposed for the impact of thermally enhanced Fe3+/Fe2+ cycling on coal particles and a possible pathway for the electrolysis of CWS.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma, Youcai & Xi, Shuangli & Li, Xiaoting & Li, Jingrui & Tao, Changyuan & Liu, Zuohua, 2025. "Fe3+-mediated coal-assisted water electrolysis for hydrogen production: Evolution of coal structure oxidation via direct current and chaotic electric fields," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:322:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225012320
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ju, HyungKuk & Badwal, Sukhvinder & Giddey, Sarbjit, 2018. "A comprehensive review of carbon and hydrocarbon assisted water electrolysis for hydrogen production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 502-533.
    2. Chen, Shuai & Zhou, Wei & Ding, Yani & Zhao, Guangbo & Gao, Jihui, 2021. "Fe3+-mediated coal-assisted water electrolysis for hydrogen production: Roles of mineral matter and oxygen-containing functional groups in coal," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    3. Ge, Lan & Gong, Xuzhong & Wang, Zhi & Zhao, Lixin & Wang, Yuhua & Wang, Mingyong, 2016. "Insight of anode reaction for CWS (coal water slurry) electrolysis for hydrogen production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 372-382.
    4. Gong, Xuzhong & Wang, Mingyong & Liu, Yang & Wang, Zhi & Guo, Zhancheng, 2014. "Variation with time of cell voltage for coal slurry electrolysis in sulfuric acid," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 233-239.
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    1. Zhang, Tao & Wang, Wei & Li, Danqing & Wang, Zhicai & Pan, Chunxiu & Yan, Xiaobiao & Li, Zhan-Ku & Zhang, Weidong & Yan, Jingchong & Ren, Shibiao & Lei, Zhiping & Shui, Hengfu, 2026. "Sustainable utilization of lignite through mild depolymerization and electro-oxidation for oxygenates and green hydrogen co-production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).

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