journal article·2026-01Open access

Structural Tuning of Self‐Conductive Polymer as Gas Diffusion Layer for Electrocatalytic Reactions at High Current

Hwiyoon Noh, Tae Hoon Lee, Sang Hyun Ahn, Jonathan T. Davis, Daecheol Jeong, Rajamani Gounder, Zachary P. Smith, Bryan W. Boudouris, Brian M. Tackett

Advanced Energy Materials· Volume 16· Issue 1

Abstract

Abstract Electrocatalytic conversions offer a promising route for sustainable chemical production using renewable energy. Gas diffusion layers (GDLs) enable selective product formation at high current densities but suffer from electrolyte flooding, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)‐based GDLs typically require metal conductive layers, which constrain catalyst development. A recently developed GDL configuration, electropolymerized poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)‐coated PTFE, demonstrates notable flooding resistance, but suffers from gas diffusion limitations at elevated currents due to limited gas diffusion through the PEDOT layer. Here, different dopants in PEDOT are exploited to modify the physical properties and enhance gas transport. ClO 4 − ‐doped PEDOT exhibits superior performance due to optimized physical structure, leading to increased gas permeance and faradaic efficiency (FE) for CO production during electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction. Further optimization of coverage and thickness achieved by adjusting charge density led to an optimal configuration at 33 mC cm −2 . This GDL supports various metal electrocatalysts and demonstrates FE CO of > 90% for over 150 h at −200 mA cm − 2 using a commercial silver electrocatalyst. This work highlights the importance of GDL engineering in enhancing performance and durability for long‐term electrocatalytic processes.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts · Ionic liquids properties and applications · Fuel Cells and Related Materials

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Charles D. Davidson School of Chemical Engineering Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 United States

Department of Chemical Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA 02139 United States

Department of Future Energy Engineering Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 16419 Republic of Korea

Materials Engineering Division Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Livermore CA 94551 United States

Funding

National Science Foundation · Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory · Basic Energy Sciences

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