The Impact of Ink and Spray Variables on Catalyst Layer Properties, Electrolyzer Performance, and Electrolyzer Durability
Abstract
In proton exchange membrane-based electrolysis, cell-level performance and durability is affected not only by individual components, but also by how those components are integrated into membrane electrode assemblies. In this study, several ink and ultrasonic spray parameters are evaluated for their effect on catalyst layer properties, electrolyzer performance, and electrolyzer durability. The relative impact of these variables on kinetic and ohmic loss were revealed and linked to catalyst layer morphology. Ionomer loading and dispersion principally affect kinetics and accelerate kinetic loss over time. Catalyst layer uniformity, however, tends to affect ohmic loss, where poor catalyst-transport layer contact adds resistances, increases ohmic loss, and accelerates ohmic loss over time. These efforts to understand catalyst layer formation and the impact of catalyst layer properties on electrolyzer performance and durability aid in the establishment of robust baselines and better inform component development efforts and manufacturing processes. Separating losses and quantifying how losses change during extended operation are also useful as a diagnostics approach to elucidate why suboptimal performance/durability occurs and develop strategies to mitigate loss.
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Fuel Cell Technologies Office
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1716538
- Alternate Identifier(s):
- OSTI ID: 1755708; OSTI ID: 1772624
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/JA-5900-78115
Journal ID: ISSN 1945-7111
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308; AC05-00OR22725
- Resource Type:
- Published Article
- Journal Name:
- Journal of the Electrochemical Society (Online)
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society (Online) Journal Volume: 167 Journal Issue: 14; Journal ID: ISSN 1945-7111
- Publisher:
- IOP Publishing
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; electrolysis; durability
Citation Formats
Alia, Shaun M., Reeves, Kimberly S., Baxter, Jefferey S., and Cullen, David A. The Impact of Ink and Spray Variables on Catalyst Layer Properties, Electrolyzer Performance, and Electrolyzer Durability. United States: N. p., 2020.
Web. doi:10.1149/1945-7111/abc746.
Alia, Shaun M., Reeves, Kimberly S., Baxter, Jefferey S., & Cullen, David A. The Impact of Ink and Spray Variables on Catalyst Layer Properties, Electrolyzer Performance, and Electrolyzer Durability. United States. https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/abc746
Alia, Shaun M., Reeves, Kimberly S., Baxter, Jefferey S., and Cullen, David A. Tue .
"The Impact of Ink and Spray Variables on Catalyst Layer Properties, Electrolyzer Performance, and Electrolyzer Durability". United States. https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/abc746.
@article{osti_1716538,
title = {The Impact of Ink and Spray Variables on Catalyst Layer Properties, Electrolyzer Performance, and Electrolyzer Durability},
author = {Alia, Shaun M. and Reeves, Kimberly S. and Baxter, Jefferey S. and Cullen, David A.},
abstractNote = {In proton exchange membrane-based electrolysis, cell-level performance and durability is affected not only by individual components, but also by how those components are integrated into membrane electrode assemblies. In this study, several ink and ultrasonic spray parameters are evaluated for their effect on catalyst layer properties, electrolyzer performance, and electrolyzer durability. The relative impact of these variables on kinetic and ohmic loss were revealed and linked to catalyst layer morphology. Ionomer loading and dispersion principally affect kinetics and accelerate kinetic loss over time. Catalyst layer uniformity, however, tends to affect ohmic loss, where poor catalyst-transport layer contact adds resistances, increases ohmic loss, and accelerates ohmic loss over time. These efforts to understand catalyst layer formation and the impact of catalyst layer properties on electrolyzer performance and durability aid in the establishment of robust baselines and better inform component development efforts and manufacturing processes. Separating losses and quantifying how losses change during extended operation are also useful as a diagnostics approach to elucidate why suboptimal performance/durability occurs and develop strategies to mitigate loss.},
doi = {10.1149/1945-7111/abc746},
journal = {Journal of the Electrochemical Society (Online)},
number = 14,
volume = 167,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Nov 17 00:00:00 EST 2020},
month = {Tue Nov 17 00:00:00 EST 2020}
}
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