Electrochemical analysis of slurry electrodes for flow-electrode capacitive deionization

• Published in: Journal of electroanalytical chemistry (Lausanne, Switzerland) Vol. 806; pp. 50 - 60
• Main Authors: Choo, Ko Yeon, Yoo, Chung Yul, Han, Moon Hee, Kim, Dong Kook
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.12.2017; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Batteries; Capacitive deionization; Carbon content; Cyclic voltammetry; Deionization; Desalination; Electrochemical analysis; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Electrodes; Electrolytic cells; Flow-electrode; Fuel cells; Microchannels; Regeneration; Slurries; Slurry electrode; Voltammetry; Water treatment; Cyclic voltammetry; Flow-electrode; Capacitive deionization; Electrochemical analysis; Slurry electrode; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
• ISSN: 1572-6657; 1873-2569
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2017.10.040

Due to recent advancements in electrochemical devices such as batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors, novel electrochemical processes for industrial plant scale including water treatment and desalination are being actively investigated. Slurry electrodes for flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) are representative process technology with continuous and easy scale-up characteristics. These characteristics are feasible as slurry electrodes can be flowed in microchannels, instead of stacking conventional electrodes fixed on plates. However, the electrochemical properties of slurry electrodes for electrochemical process engineering have not been clearly identified, compared to those of conventional fixed electrodes. In the present study, we investigated the electrochemical properties of capacitive slurry electrodes with changes in carbon content and electrolyte salt concentration using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and deionization/regeneration cycle tests with newly fabricated button-type cells. The CV patterns were rectangular, symmetrical, and reversible at a scan rate of 2mV/s, indicating electrical double-layer capacitive behavior. The results of the EIS and cycle tests demonstrated that increasing the carbon content and electrolyte salt concentration in slurry electrodes improved the cell efficiency due to the higher capacitance and lower total resistance. •Novel electrochemical cells suitable for slurry electrodes were developed.•The electrochemical properties of slurry electrodes were affected by their composition.•Increasing the carbon content of slurry electrodes led to a higher capacitance.•Increasing the electrolyte salt concentration of slurry electrodes improved the cell efficiency.