Hydrogen Generation by DC/ Pulsed Electrolysis with Smart Materials Enhanced by Magnetic Field.
N. Kukhtarev, T.Kukhtareva, 2247 Fargo St. Los Angeles

There is worldwide need for environmental-friendly affordable sources of energy. Hydrogen is attractive candidate for an energy source that can be produced by electrolysis of water. Hydrogen generation by electrolysis and storage it by electrochemical compression with DC electrical power is costly and need bulky equipment.

We propose a novel compact technique for effective production of hydrogen using combined DC/pulsed electrolysis enhanced by magnetic field with smart (pyroelectric) materials. Using t cylindrical electrodes with crossed electrical and magnetic fields create rotation of the bipolar charged gas bubbles and water solution during electrolysis [1]. Rotation of water and combined dc/pulsed electric field clean electrodes from the polarization screening, and increase electrical current and efficiency of hydrogen generation. Pulsed electric field may be generated by smart materials [1] by temperature variations and by solar light illumination using innovative bulk photovoltaic effect, called also photogalvanic (PG) effect. Innovative PG effect is uniquely known by ability to generate DC and pulsed high voltage (~ 10 kV) and it is different from traditional photovoltaic effect. Pulsed mode of operation will compensate effect of backward diffusion, that is essential problem in generation and storage (compression) of a hydrogen.

Fig.1 reveals rotation speed ~ 2 Hz near outer cylinder electrode, while fast rotation of bubbles near the central electrode takes a turbulent character. Experiments with constant 0.1Tesla magnetic fields show 1.5 increase of hydrogen production.

Adding microcrystals of smart materials in water also increased efficiency of electrolysis. We observed water cluster formation (Fig2.) in electrolysis with illumination that generate PG current and charge surface of the crystals. These surface charges increase waters splitting with generation of oxygen and hydrogen bubbles and attract opposite sign charged ion clusters that results in building of foam-like scattering clouds.

Diversity of channels of power supplies allows battery/electrode free mode of operation . In addition, smart materials increase efficiency of device by creating new catalytic channels of hydrogen generation. In addition, electrode-less mode allows to generate energetic Brown’s gas mixture (2:1 mixture of hydrogen and oxygen atoms like in water).

• SUMMARY: Design is novel, application of properly oriented magnetic field increase 1,5 times generation of hydrogen was demonstrated with the cheap from- on-the-shelf materials.
• Using smart (pyroelectric/PG materials) allows battery/electrodes - less operation using Sun light and natural space/ time temperature gradients
• Multifunctional applications: version of design may be used for the disinfection of swimming pools and other water supplies.

Burning of energetic Brown’s gas generate heat and clean water. In this way will be realized closed-loop cycle: generated heat by Brown’s gas burning will be used for pyroelectric generation of electricity and producing clean water without waist.
1.N. Kukhtarev et al.,Proc. SPIE 10755, (2018)