Ultralight, Safe, Economical, and Portable Oxygen Generators with Low Energy Consumption Prepared by Air-Breathing Electrochemical Extraction.

Abstract

Pure oxygen is vital in medical treatment, first aid, and chemical synthesis. Hypoxia can cause severe damage to the organ systems such as respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems and even directly cause death. Notably, the severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated the shortage of medical oxygen in the world. Hence, a safe, economical, and portable oxygen supply device is urgently needed. Here, we have successfully prepared a device with air-breathing electrochemical extraction of pure oxygen (ABEEPO) with light weight and high energy efficiency. By renovating the structure of the electrolytic cell, the components bipolar plate and end plate are replaced with a plastic membrane, and the component current collector is replaced with a highly conductive graphene composite membrane electrode. Due to the use of the plastic membrane and graphene composite membrane electrode, the weight of the electrolytic cell is reduced from 1319.4 to 1.6 g, and the flexibility of the electrolytic cell is successfully realized. Through optimizing anode catalysts, working area, and operating voltage, a high flow rate per mass (234 mL h-1 g-1) was achieved at a voltage of 1.2 V. The device exhibits high stability in 2 h. The new portable oxygen production device would be effective for hypoxia treatment.