Catalyst-Specific Accelerated Stress Tests in Proton Exchange Membrane Low-Temperature Electrolysis for Intermittent Operation

Alia, Shaun M.; Reeves, Kimberly S.; Yu, Haoran; Park, Jae Hyung; Kariuki, Nancy N.; Kropf, A. Jeremy; Myers, Deborah J.; Cullen, David A.

doi:10.1149/1945-7111/ad2735

Catalyst-Specific Accelerated Stress Tests in Proton Exchange Membrane Low-Temperature Electrolysis for Intermittent Operation

Journal Article · Fri Feb 23 00:00:00 EST 2024 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/ad2735· OSTI ID:2328104

^[1]; Reeves, Kimberly S. ^[2]; Yu, Haoran ^[2]; Park, Jae Hyung ^[3]; ^[3]; Kropf, A. Jeremy ^[3]; ^[3]; ^[2]

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Device-level stress tests are developed that focus on anode catalyst layer degradation and future anticipated operating conditions, including intermittent load and reduced platinum group metal content. Square-wave cycles with an upper load limit of 2.5 A cm^-2 are utilized to screen commercial iridium (Ir) materials. Performance losses are primarily due to decreasing kinetics and are accompanied by catalyst migration into the membrane, worsening catalyst/ionomer integration, and weakening of the catalyst/membrane interface. For ruthenium-containing catalysts, the in situ performances are higher but durabilities lower than Ir baselines, and any performance advantage is lost within the test. Increased loss is likely due to the higher dissolution rate; microscopy confirmed greater degrees of ruthenium migration. For Ir metal or mixed oxides, ex situ activity improvements generally did not translate to in situ performance. The durability, however, is significantly lower and the loss rate increased from 3 (oxide) to 9 (metal) μV cycle^-1. These results are consistent with historical findings in literature, rationalize the continued use of iridium oxide as a baseline catalyst, and demonstrate that traditional catalyst development approaches may not improve device-level durability when focused on low-cost applications. A shift in focus may therefore be more effective at improving catalyst utilization and lessening load requirements.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS); Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States); National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)

Sponsoring Organization:: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357; AC05-00OR22725; AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 2328104

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2434371
OSTI ID: 2500351

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5900-88213; MainId:88988; UUID:0430ed28-1468-4335-8ae9-010558cb4af4; MainAdminId:72144

Journal Information:: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 171; ISSN 0013-4651

Publisher:: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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