Readily Constructed Glass Piston Pump for Gas Recirculation.

Area of Science:

• Catalysis and electrocatalysis
• Chemical engineering
• Materials science

Background:

• Recirculation of gases is vital in catalytic and electrocatalytic studies, especially for slow-reacting gases.
• Mass transport control is necessary in catalytic reaction zones.
• Electrocatalytic nitrogen (N2) reduction requires efficient recirculation of isotopes like 15N2.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, fabricate, and characterize a novel, lubricant-free recirculating gas pump.
• To ensure chemical compatibility with harsh electrolytes used in electrocatalysis.
• To mitigate contamination issues in gas recirculation systems.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a pump using only glass and inert polymers (PEEK, PTFE).
• Testing the pump's performance under various pressure conditions.
• Evaluating chemical compatibility with acidic and organic electrolytes.

Main Results:

• The pump achieved flow rates exceeding 500 mL min-1 N2 against atmospheric pressure.
• Flow rates over 100 mL min-1 N2 were recorded against a differential pressure of ~15 mbar.
• The lubricant-free design and inert materials prevented contamination.

Conclusions:

• The developed glass and polymer pump is a robust and reliable tool for gas recirculation in sensitive catalytic studies.
• Its chemical inertness and lubricant-free operation make it ideal for electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction.
• This pump design offers a practical solution for enhancing experimental control and data accuracy.