Alkaline Electrolysis

Alkaline electrolysis is a mature technology used for splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity, and is responsible for a majority of electrolytic hydrogen produced today. The alkaline electrolyzer consists of multiple cells stacked together. Each cell consists of anode and cathode electrodes separated by a separator/diaphragm with electrodes submerged in high concentration (25-30 wt%) potassium or sodium hydroxide electrolyte solution. The solution serves as the required hydroxide (OH-)ion conductor feeding the anode and cathode sides. On the cathode side, water molecules break down to hydrogen molecules and hydroxide ions. With help from the ion conductive electrolyte, the hydroxide ions migrate to the cathode side and oxidize into oxygen molecules.