Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Selection and evaluation of materials for advanced water electrolyzers

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6535975

The mechanism of dissolution of ruthenium anodes and of the time variation of overpotential on such electrodes have been elucidated using combined electrochemical-ellipsometric studies. Attempts are being made to stabilize ruthenium based electrocatalysts for SPE water electrolyzers by investigation of mixed oxides with the requisite characteristics for highly efficient oxygen electrodes. The following materials have been identified as the most attractive for advanced alkaline water electrolyzers operating at 120 to 150/sup 0/C: Anode Electrocatalyst--High Surface Area Nickel Cobalt Oxide; Cathode Electrocatalyst--High Surface Area Nickel Boride; Separator--Teflon Bonded Potassium Titanate or Nafion; and Cell Frame--Teflon or Teflon Based. The tests on barrier materials, electrodes and cell components have so far been carried out on a static basis in a pressure vessel. Teledyne Energy Systems (TES) has designed and fabricated an advanced alkaline water electrolysis test rig (5-cell stack). In a joint BNl--TES--University of Virginia program, the most promising materials will be tested for performance and/or life in this test-rig.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-02-0016
OSTI ID:
6535975
Report Number(s):
BNL-25211; CONF-781142-1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English