Tunable Anodes: A Dynamic Solution for Fluctuating Green Electricity

Advanced Chemical Engineering, vol. 1

Abstract

ABSTRACT Time‐variable electricity prices from intermittent solar and wind motivate flexible, price‐responsive electrochemical operation. In emerging electrosynthesis platforms, such as , demand‐side management relies on oversized cells and product storage during peak‐cost periods. We introduce a switchable and tunable anode architecture that modulates cell voltage (and thus power draw) without oversizing the electrolyzer. The two‐chamber anode separates HOR (hydrogen oxidation reaction) and OER (oxygen evolution reaction) compartments by a cation‐exchange membrane (CEM), enabling rapid mode changes between low‐overpotential HOR and conventional OER without a rinsing or shutdown step. We demonstrate 120 stable switching cycles at . Beyond binary switching, the architecture enables simultaneous HOR/OER operation (0%–100% split), providing continuous control of anode potential and power demand at constant cathodic current density. In a representative conservative electricity‐price scenario, the tunable strategy yields up to lower anodic operating cost than conventional OER. This study provides a new operational degree of freedom in electrochemical systems, focusing on the feasibility and controllability of dynamic anodic modulation. More broadly, the concept establishes continuous counter‐electrode tuning as a new lever for flexible electrochemical process design, enabling real‐time adjustment of power demand without altering the target reaction rate.

Authors 7

1. Mojtaba Mohseni Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University Aachener Verfahrenstechnik ‐ Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT) Aachen Germany

2. Jonas Baessler Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University Aachener Verfahrenstechnik ‐ Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT) Aachen Germany

3. Alexander Kohushoelter Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University Aachener Verfahrenstechnik ‐ Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT) Aachen Germany

4. Georgia Ioanna Prokopou Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University Aachener Verfahrenstechnik ‐ Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT) Aachen Germany

5. Alexander Mitsos Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University Aachener Verfahrenstechnik ‐ Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT) Aachen Germany

6. Matthias Weßling Aachen DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials Aachen Germany

   DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   DWI ‐ Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials Aachen Germany

   RWTH Aachen University Aachener Verfahrenstechnik ‐ Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT) Aachen Germany

7. Robert Keller corresponding Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University Aachener Verfahrenstechnik ‐ Chemical Process Engineering (AVT.CVT) Aachen Germany