Hydrogen-motivated electrolysis of sodium carbonate with extremely low cell voltage

Abstract

Hydrogen-motivated electrolysis of Na₂CO₃ for energy-saving production of NaOH and CO₂/NaHCO₃ is realized by the hydrogen oxidation reaction to insert proton into anolyte and the hydrogen evolution reaction to extract proton out of catholyte. Electrolytic voltage at 100 mA cm⁻² is as low as 0.88 V; this voltage is only 35% of the voltage used in the traditional electrolysis.