Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry ›› 2023, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (8): 1158-1174.DOI: 10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.230131

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Basics of Research Progress for Urea Electrolysis for Hydrogen Generation and Urea Fuel Cells

Chun YIN, Jia-Xin LI, Li-Gang FENG()   

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,Yangzhou University,Yangzhou 225002,China
  • Received:2023-05-04 Accepted:2023-07-06 Published:2023-08-01 Online:2023-08-24
  • Contact: Li-Gang FENG
  • About author:ligang.feng@yzu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22272148)

Abstract:

Urea as an effective hydrogen carrier can be used in urea electrolysis (UE) for hydrogen production and direct urea fuel cells (DUFC). In urea electrolysis, the coupling of urea oxidation reaction (UOR) at the anode and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the cathode to produce hydrogen is more cost-effective than water electrolysis, with energy consumption reduced by about 30% and economic cost reduced by about 36%. In the direct urea fuel cells, urea as fuel at the anode and coupled with oxygen reduction at the cathode can convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy. As the basis of these two energy conversion technologies, UOR has received more and more attention. This review discusses the reaction principle and performance description parameters of UOR in alkaline electrolytes and introduces the application of UOR in UE and DUFC. Attention is also given to the principles of UE and DUFC and the development status of some catalysts, and finally, the challenges faced in the development of UE and DUFC are also commented. Hopefully, this review will be helpful for understanding the basics of UE and DUFC.

Key words: Urea, Electrolysis, Fuel cell, Hydrogen, Electrochemistry

CLC Number: