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Title: High-performance and cost-effective membrane electrode assemblies for advanced proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers: Long-term durability assessment

Journal Article · · International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Improved activity and durability performance of a two-cell (86 cm2) proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) stack is reported for the first time. Both membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) contain one order of magnitude lower platinum group metal (PGM) loadings compared to the state-of-the-art PEMWEs and incorporate novel Pt recombination layers. The high-performance and cost-effective MEAs are fabricated by the unique reactive spray deposition technology (RSDT). This advanced methodology allows for one-step fabrication of MEAs and ensures precise control and distribution of the catalyst composition and loading. The RSDT-fabricated MEAs contain only 0.2 and 0.3 mgPGM cm-2 loading in the cathode and anode electrodes, respectively, and demonstrate excellent activity and durability for over 3000 h of operation at industrially-relevant operating conditions without showing significant loss in performance. This novel work shows that a significant cost reduction for PEMWEs is achieved while maintaining excellent durability, high catalysts activities, and low hydrogen cross-over.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725; EE0008427
OSTI ID:
1817412
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1817677; OSTI ID: 2325412
Journal Information:
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 46, Issue 2; ISSN 0360-3199
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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