Understanding and improving anode performance in an alkaline membrane electrolyzer using statistical design of experiments

Hassan, Noor Ul; Mandal, Mrinmay; Zulevi, Barr; Kohl, Paul A.; Mustain, William E.

doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2022.140001

Understanding and improving anode performance in an alkaline membrane electrolyzer using statistical design of experiments

Journal Article · Sat Feb 05 00:00:00 EST 2022 · Electrochimica Acta

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2022.140001· OSTI ID:2568272

Hassan, Noor Ul ^[1]; Mandal, Mrinmay ^[2]; Zulevi, Barr ^[3]; Kohl, Paul A. ^[2]; Mustain, William E. ^[1]

University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (United States)
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States)
Pajarito Powder, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

The behavior of the oxygen-evolving positive electrode (i.e. anode) in the anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMEL) is complex and influenced by several factors. Very few studies have been performed to understand oxygen evolution reaction (OER) behavior by optimizing the individual factors that influence performance. Here, this study highlights the effects of catalyst loading, catalyst selection, porous transport layer (PTL) type and conductive additive content. The influence of each factor is elucidated through a design of experiments (DoE) approach with a full statistical analysis. Electrochemical data, alongside Pareto charts, parametric trends and their mutual interactions are discussed. This DoE approach is also helpful in making useful predictions and discovering new combinations to be tested. The end result was a high-performance AEMEL able to operate at a current density of 1.0 A/cm² at 1.80 V with IrOx OER and PtNi hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts using 0.3 M KOH fed to the anode. Even lower operating voltage was observed with PbRuOx catalyst at the anode, 1.64 V @ 1.0 A/cm², though the cell decay rate was higher. Lastly, a IrOx/PtNi cell was stably operated continuously for 30 days (720 h) at 1.0 A/cm². This study can serve as a guide for optimal electrode design with insights into component-performance compromises, which can aid in making design choices and performing techno-economic analyses.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0008833

OSTI ID:: 2568272

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1843887
OSTI ID: 1977075

Journal Information:: Electrochimica Acta, Journal Name: Electrochimica Acta Vol. 409; ISSN 0013-4686

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Understanding and improving anode performance in an alkaline membrane electrolyzer using statistical design of experiments

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