Neutral plates under analysis: how electrochemical engineering redefines the efficiency of low-cost electrolyzers.
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Amidst the climate emergency and the search for technological solutions capable of reducing emissions without requiring the immediate replacement of the entire fleet of combustion engines, hydrogen is back at the center of the scientific debate. A recent academic study, developed within the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, sheds light on a little-explored, yet decisive, element in the efficiency of single-compartment alkaline electrolyzers: the role of neutral plates in the simultaneous production of hydrogen and oxygen.
Efficiency, thermal control, and technical feasibility in single-compartment electrolyzers
The research investigated how different configurations—with three, four, and five neutral plates—affect the electrochemical performance of an electrolyzer equipped with stainless steel electrodes and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)-based electrolytes. The results show that reducing the number of neutral plates increases current density and gas flow, indicating greater system efficiency. Conversely, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses revealed that these plates function as capacitors, increasing the overall resistance of the assembly—an effect that, while reducing efficiency, can be strategically exploited for thermal control of the equipment.
The study also demonstrates that adjusting the electrolyte conductivity is a more effective and flexible tool for regulating current and temperature than simply adding plates. Throughout prolonged testing, the electrolyzer showed stable hydrogen and oxygen production, reinforcing the technical viability of simple, low-cost systems as combustion support and as a transitional solution in the energy transition, especially in applications seeking incremental efficiency gains and emission reductions.
