Hydrogen generation by plasma-assisted electrochemical pumping

We demonstrated that the reaction between water vapor and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) can be catalyzed plasma-chemically and hydrogen species, products of the reaction, can be pumped out electrochemically as hydrogen molecules (H₂) with the help of palladium (Pd) bipolar electrode. The plasma-energizing effect on the reaction between water vapor and SO₂ is solely played by non-thermal electrons generated by atmospheric pressure electrical microdischarge. Of the reaction products the hydrogen atoms are dissolved in the Pd membrane, transferred to the interface contacting a proton conducting medium through diffusion and eventually anodized at the interface. This type of electrolysis does not require platinum catalyst and opens a possibility of increasing the energy efficiency for hydrogen generation.