Space Grant Consortium - University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Conclusion
The use of blackened electrodes in the production of oxygen from lunar regolith
will increase the rate of oxygen and hydrogen production. This is due to the increased
surface area of the blackened electrode. The use of a sonicator during the platinization
process provides for a more durable, longer lasting electrode. With the procedures used
in this study, platinized electrodes can be easily produced in the lab that provide a good
candidate for the electrode to be used in the electrolysis of water produced from lunar
regolith and the ionic liquid.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Dr. Peter A. Curreri and Dr. Laurel Karr for their mentorship
and guidance in this project. I would also like to thank Dr. Steve Paley and Dr. Matt
Marone for their help in the lab, and for answering my endless questions. This work is
supported by the NASA Academy program at the Marshall Space Flight Center and the
Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium. Without everyone and all the programs involved in
the project, none of this would be possible, and I am very grateful for the opportunity of
this experience.
References
Curreri, Peter A et al. Process Demonstration for Lunar In Situ Resource Utilization –
Molten Oxide Electrolysis. MSFC Independent Research and Development
Project. August 2006
MacNevin, William M, Levitsky, M. “Reproducible Platinized Platinum Electrode for
Anodic Polarography”.Analytical Chemistry 24.6 (1952) 973-975
Marrese, Carl A. “Preparation of Strongly Adherent Platinum Black Coating”. Anal.
Chem. 59.1 (1987) 217-219
Paley, Mark Steven et al. Oxygen Production from Lunar Regolith using Ionic Liquids.
Space, Propulsion, and Energy Sciences International Forum. February 2009.
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