Project Title:

Advanced, Intermediate-Temperature, Electrolytic Cell for Oxygen Generation from

12.04-1583A
910082
Advanced, Intermediate-Temperature, Electrolytic Cell for Oxygen Generation from
Martian Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
Eltron Research, Inc.
4260 Westbrook Drive
Aurora
IL
60504
Anthony F.
Sammells
708-898-1583
JSC
NAS9-18688
243

12.04-1583A
910082

Abstract:

Advanced, Intermediate Temperature Electrolytic Cell for Oxygen Generation from Martian
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
This project will investigate solid-state electrolytic cells for the direct removal
of oxygen from CO2 over the temperature range of 400 to 600C. Effective separation
between the cell cathode, where carbon dioxide becomes reduced to carbon monoxide,
and the anode, where oxygen evolution occurs, will be achieved by utilizing O2- conducting,
brownmillerite, solid electrolytes that have demonstrated significantly higher ionic
conductivities than those with materials based upon the stabilized zirconias. This
will permit electrolytic cell operation at intermediate temperatures. Electrocatalysis
for enhancing the kinetics of electrochemical CO2 reduction will be achieved using
brownmillerite-based cathodes of general stoichiometry A2-xAxB2O5, where A = Ba or
Sr, A = Ce or Dy, and B = Co, Ni or Cu which will be expected to provide favorable
CO2 adsorption characteristics while at the same time possess the required high ionic
(O2-) and electronic conductivities at intermediate temperatures. The overall electrolytic
cell will permit high electrochemical rates to be achieved for the efficient removal
of oxygen for breathing from CO2 under Martian atmospheric conditions. The carbon
monoxide effluent from electrochemical cells can then be utilized in the reduction
of iron ores present in large quantities on the Martian surface to metallic iron.
This electrolytic technology would provide a viable process for the extraction of
oxygen from carbon dioxide in the Martian atmosphere for the maintenance of life.
The separated cathodic reaction product (CO) could also be used either directly or
indirectly as a reducing agent on the Martian surface for Martian ore refining.
carbon dioxide, oxygen extraction, perovskite electrocatalysis, solid electrolytes