Simulated Start-Stop and the Impact of Catalyst Layer Redox on Degradation and Performance Loss in Low-Temperature Electrolysis

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

doi:10.1149/1945-7111/ad2bea

Simulated Start-Stop and the Impact of Catalyst Layer Redox on Degradation and Performance Loss in Low-Temperature Electrolysis

Journal Article · Mon Apr 08 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/ad2bea· OSTI ID:2377638

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

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)

Stress tests are developed that focus on anode catalyst layer degradation in proton exchange membrane electrolysis due to simulated start-stop operation. Ex situ testing indicates that repeated redox cycling accelerates catalyst dissolution, due to near-surface reduction and the higher dissolution kinetics of metals when cycling to high potentials. Similar results occur in situ, where a large decrease in cell kinetics (>70%) is found along with iridium migrating from the anode catalyst layer into the membrane. Additional processes are observed, however, including changes in iridium oxidation, the formation of thinner and denser catalyst layers, and platinum migration from the transport layer. Increased interfacial weakening is also found, adding to both ohmic and kinetic loss by adding contact resistances and isolating portions of the catalyst layer. Repeated shutoffs of the water flow further accelerate performance loss and increase the frequency of tearing and delamination at interfaces and within catalyst layers. These tests were applied to several commercial catalysts, where higher loss rates were observed for catalysts that contained ruthenium or high metal content. These results demonstrate the need to understand how operational stops occur, to identify how loss mechanisms are accelerated, and to develop strategies to limit performance loss.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States); Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS); 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:: USDOE 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); USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF)

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

OSTI ID:: 2377638

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2438894
OSTI ID: 2476177

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--5900-87375; MainId:88150; UUID:654b9ff2-3619-4090-b602-8816f8238f24; MainAdminId:72333

Journal Information:: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 171; ISSN 0013-4651

Publisher:: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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