Probing Electrode Transformation under Dynamic Operation for Alkaline Water Electrolysis

Wang, Guanzhi; Li, Haoyi; Babbe, Finn; Tricker, Andrew; Crumlin, Ethan J.; Yano, Junko; Mukundan, Rangachary; Peng, Xiong

doi:10.1002/aenm.202500886

Probing Electrode Transformation under Dynamic Operation for Alkaline Water Electrolysis

Journal Article · Thu Apr 17 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Advanced Energy Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202500886· OSTI ID:2567037

Wang, Guanzhi ^[1]; Li, Haoyi ^[1]; Babbe, Finn ^[1]; Tricker, Andrew ^[1]; Crumlin, Ethan J. ^[1]; Yano, Junko ^[1]; Mukundan, Rangachary ^[1]; ^[1]

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Alkaline water electrolyzers (AWEs) play a pivotal role in the realm of large-scale hydrogen production. However, AWEs face significant challenges in electrode degradation particularly under dynamic operating conditions, induced by reverse current phenomenon during frequent startup/shutdown. Herein, this study aims to rationalize the degradation mechanisms of AWEs under these conditions. A three-electrode membrane electrode assembly (MEA) setup is first utilized to decouple polarization behaviors of anode and cathode in AWEs. Following a proposed accelerated stress testing protocol, the setup allows for tracking individual electrode performance transformations during frequent reverse current operation. Integrating operando cell studies with in situ and post-mortem characterizations, it is showed that continuous formation of highly active species, nickel (oxy)hydroxides, improves the anode performance for oxygen evolution reaction. On the contrary, irreversible oxidation of nickel to β-nickel hydroxide results in a severe degradation of cathode, leading to material dissolution, poor electrical conductivity and loss of catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction. These results provide insights in nickel-based electrode transformation mechanisms for alkaline water electrolysis and indicate that cathode with higher redox reversibility can potentially improve durability of AWEs under dynamic conditions.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

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

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231; AC02-76SF00515; SC0021266

OSTI ID:: 2567037

Journal Information:: Advanced Energy Materials, Journal Name: Advanced Energy Materials Journal Issue: 28 Vol. 15; ISSN 1614-6840; ISSN 1614-6832

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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