Electrochemical cells from water ice? Preliminary methods and results

Electrochemical cells from ice will be an important seasonal addition to power generation in cold regions. We demonstrate power generation on the order of 0.1 mW at 0.3 V and 0.13 m.sup.2 surface area using an electrochemical cell with 2% HCl providing a pH gradient in ice, and suggest a solar add-o...

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Published inPloS one Vol. 18; no. 8; p. e0285507
Main Authors Helman, Daniel S, Retallack, Matthew
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published San Francisco Public Library of Science 24.08.2023
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subjects
Acids
Additives
Analysis
Batteries
Cold
Cold regions
Conductivity
Crystal lattices
Defects
Earth Sciences
Electric power production
Electrochemical cells
Electrochemistry
Electrodes
Engineering and Technology
Environmental impact
Evaluation
Fabrication
Hydrogen
Ice
Kaolinite
KDP crystals
Methods
Origin of life
pH effects
Phosphates
Physical Sciences
Potassium phosphate
Potassium phosphates
Production costs
Properties
Sodium chloride
Solutes
Sunlight
Temperature changes
Temperature effects
Water ice
Canada
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Summary:Electrochemical cells from ice will be an important seasonal addition to power generation in cold regions. We demonstrate power generation on the order of 0.1 mW at 0.3 V and 0.13 m.sup.2 surface area using an electrochemical cell with 2% HCl providing a pH gradient in ice, and suggest a solar add-on effect due to temperature changes under direct sunlight. Different models are discussed, and data are presented related to different additives: (1) solutes such as NaCl and monopotassium phosphate; (2) pH modifying agents such as acids and bases; (3) particulate suspensions with kaolinite and other substances. The results are positive and suggest viable use of electrochemical cells from ice with low fabrication costs and safe environmental impact for ephemeral power generation, especially with future material improvements and refinement of technique. Current research in this nascent field is also briefly introduced. The model presented has implications both for power systems and for biology: an icy-worlds hypothesis for the origin of life suggests a protometabolism with an ice-based pH gradient.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0285507