Electrochemical Peroxide Generation

In this Phase I SBIR program, Faraday will develop a custom bench-scale electrochemical cell incorporating state of the art electrocatalysts in a gas-diffusion electrode (GDE) system to serve as proof-of-concept of the suitability of an electrochemical system for in situ hydrogen peroxide generation, to serve as a disinfectant solution for crew contact surfaces in space vehicles. Hydrogen peroxide is an appealing disinfectant due to its low toxicity and innocuous decomposition products (i.e., water and oxygen). Faraday will construct a bench-scale electroreactor to incorporate a custom-fabricated gas diffusion cathode and a commercial mixed-metal oxide anode, which will then be used in hydrogen peroxide generation tests. Adventitious hydrogen peroxide consumption at the anode will be avoided by inclusion of a selective membrane between the anode and cathode compartments. The performance of this electrochemical generation system will be enhanced through application of the FARADAYIC Process, which involves precise tuning of pulsed electrical potentials applied to the catalytic electrodes. The system will be characterized by the peroxide generation rate, the maximum achievable peroxide concentration, and the microbial disinfection capability demonstrated by the solutions generated. These efforts will provide a platform for scale-up and optimization efforts in Phase II and transition to commercialization in Phase III.