Cutting Edge Chemistry for Two Dollars

Gas-diffusion electrodes are experimental systems that use electricity and a catalyst to drive a chemical reaction where a gas is the reactant or product. For example, this could be the electrocatalytic splitting of water to make hydrogen and oxygen. They can also be run in reverse and can generate electricity, as in a fuel-cell, where the catalysis of hydrogen and oxygen generates a current.

For just $2.00 in materials, STEM education teachers and schools can access open-source, 3D-printed gas-diffusion electrodes and membrane-electrode assemblies to bring hands-on, leading-edge research into the classroom.

A University of Sydney-based team with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Carbon Science and Innovation has developed the accessible, affordable and adaptable 3D-printed gas-diffusion electrode (GDE) and membrane-electrode-assembly test reactor, giving it the name ‘open-GDE’ or bayadjamara, a Gadigal word meaning “air maker”.

Instead of students merely measuring or observing the outputs of electrolysis lab experiments, as they currently do with standard model fuel cell kits, these inexpensive and open-source electrolysis systems allow students to print and build their own systems and go beyond simple quantitative measurement.

The ability to easily construct and adapt the systems will enable students to test and understand at a deeper level how these electrocatalysts and electrocatalytic systems work.

Open-source, Inexpensive and Easy to Print
The system’s provision for use and modification under an open-source license with no previous electrochemical or 3D-printing experience required, makes it accessible to secondary school and tertiary students. This can help the students make practical connections with leading-edge research and make links to socio-cultural problems - such as climate change, energy and food security - that such technology can help solve.

“The open-GDE/bayadjamara platform enables anyone with a 3D printer to make the reactor for about two dollars,” said Dr Christopher Barnett from the University of Sydney School of Chemistry.

“We provide the design files and detailed instructions on how to modify and print the reactor platform, suitable for even a relatively novice operator,” said Dr Barnett, a Research Fellow with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Carbon Science & Innovation.

“To our knowledge, this is the first reported 3D-printed reactor platform that provides all source files,” Dr Barnett said.

“Indeed, we invite researchers, teachers and STEM schools to contact us to organise an exploratory kit provided at cost.”

Their research is published in the Australian Journal of Chemistry.