Molecule Energy (eV)
-------- ---------
H 13.6
H2 15.4
OH 13.0
H2O 12.6
HO2 11.4
H2O2 10.5
Fig. 1 - Molecular Ionization Potentials in Gas
The above table shows that water requires about the same but less
potential to ionize than OH. Given an H2O or OH molecule is about 1
angstrom in length, a field gradient of over 1.3x10^11 V/m is
sufficient to ionize OH to O + p + e-. Thus in a two step process at
the anode surface we have:
H2O ---> OH + p + e- ---> O + p + p + 2e-
If this can happen in a single step, but producing a paired electron
2e- boson, then this reaction is ideal for creating the dual electron
catalysis ingredients.
If we assume the potential drop at the cathode is about 2 volts, and
our cell operating voltage is 200 volts DC, the anode voltage drop
can be spread over about 15 atomic layers. The anode interphase can
be about 15 molecules thick and yet support the required free proton
release at a diode layer breakdown voltage of 200 V, which is readily
achievable. The formation of hydrogen peroxide should be suppressed
at over 1.3x10^11 V/m.
Horace Heffner
