Pump free alkaline electrolyte membrane water electrolytic device

A pump-free water electrolytic device for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases through electrolysis of water, comprising:

• at least one membrane electrode assembly (MEA), including a first MEA, in contact with water, each MEA including:
• a first current collector having a first surface defining a first plurality of openings extending from the first surface to a second surface opposite the first surface;
• a first outer gas diffusion layer coupled to the first current collector;
• a first inner gas diffusion layer coupled to the first outer gas diffusion layer, wherein oxygen gas diffuses through the first inner gas diffusion layer and into the first outer gas diffusion layer;
• an anode catalyst layer coupled to the first inner gas diffusion layer, the anode catalyst layer comprising an anode catalyst;
• an alkaline electrolyte membrane (AEM) coupled to the anode catalyst layer;
• a cathode catalyst layer coupled to the AEM;
• a second inner gas diffusion layer coupled to the cathode catalyst layer, the cathode catalyst layer comprising a cathode catalyst;
• a second outer gas diffusion layer coupled to the second inner gas diffusion layer, wherein hydrogen gas diffuses through the second inner gas diffusion layer and into the second outer gas diffusion layer;
• and
• a second current collector coupled to the second outer gas diffusion layer, the second current collector having a first surface defining a second plurality of openings extending from the first surface to a second surface opposite the first surface;
• a first internal water-gas separator forming a first reservoir having walls defining a first internal volume of space configured to be at least partially filled with a first liquid, the first internal water-gas separator being externally coupled to the first current collector so that the first liquid is maintained in intimate contact with the first current collector during operation;
• and
• a second internal water-gas separator forming a second reservoir having walls defining a second internal volume of space configured to be at least partially filled with a second liquid, the second internal water-gas separator being externally coupled to the second current collector so that the second liquid is maintained in intimate contact with the second current collector during operation,
• wherein the first and second inner gas diffusion layers and the first and second outer gas diffusion layers each have a pore size with the pore sizes of the inner gas diffusion layers being smaller than the pore sizes of the outer gas diffusion layers such that the pore size increases as gas diffuses through the inner and outer diffusion layers with the largest pore size being closest to the first and second reservoirs,
• wherein each of the first and second inner gas diffusion layer has a pore size of 10-60 μm, and each of the first and second outer gas diffusion layer has a pore size of 300-600 μm, and
• wherein there is no pumping element to supply and/or circulate water and electrolyte to and/or from the anode and cathode catalyst layers in the device during operation.