Method for generating oxygen and water electrolysis device

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for efficiently generating oxygen by electrolyzing water using a copper delafossite compound as an anode. First, in the present invention, a water electrolysis device is prepared. The water electrolysis device comprises a container, a power supply, an anode, a cathode; and an aqueous electrolytic solution. The anode and the cathode are in contact with the aqueous electrolytic solution. The anode has a copper cobalt delafossite compound represented by a chemical formula CuCoO 2 . The copper cobalt delafossite compound is in contact with the aqueous electrolytic solution. Then, an electric potential difference is applied between the cathode and the anode using the power supply to generate oxygen on the anode due to electrolysis of water which occurs on the copper cobalt delafossite compound.

1 . A method for generating oxygen, the method comprising:
 (a) preparing a water electrolysis device comprising:
 a container; 
 a power supply; 
 an anode; 
 a cathode; and 
 an electrolyte aqueous solution, wherein 
 the anode and the cathode are in contact with the electrolyte aqueous solution, 
 the anode includes a copper cobalt delafossite compound represented by a chemical formula CuCoO 2 , and 
 the copper cobalt delafossite compound is in contact with the electrolyte aqueous solution, and 
   (b) applying an electric potential difference between the cathode and the anode using the power supply to generate oxygen on the anode due to electrolysis of water which occurs on the copper cobalt delafossite compound.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the container further comprises a diaphragm; and   the diaphragm divides the inside of the container into a first chamber having the anode and a second chamber having the cathode.   
     
     
         3 . A water electrolysis device for generating oxygen, comprising:
 a container;   a power supply;   an anode; and   a cathode, wherein   an electrolyte aqueous solution is stored in the container;   the anode and the cathode are electrically connected with the power supply;   the anode and the cathode are in contact with the electrolyte aqueous solution;   the anode has a copper cobalt delafossite compound represented by a chemical formula CuCoO 2 ; and   the copper cobalt delafossite compound is in contact with the electrolyte aqueous solution.   
     
     
         4 . The water electrolysis device for generating oxygen according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the container further comprises a diaphragm; and   the diaphragm divides the inside of the container into a first chamber having the anode and a second chamber having the cathode.   
     
     
         5 . An anode for generating oxygen due to electrolysis of water, wherein
 the anode includes a copper cobalt delafossite compound represented by a chemical formula CuCoO 2 .