Title: Catalyst-Specific Accelerated Stress Tests in Proton Exchange Membrane Low-Temperature Electrolysis for Intermittent Operation

Abstract

Device-level stress tests are developed that focus on anode catalyst layer degradation and future anticipated operating conditions, including intermittent load and reduced platinum group metal content. Square-wave cycles with an upper load limit of 2.5 A cm^-2 are utilized to screen commercial iridium (Ir) materials. Performance losses are primarily due to decreasing kinetics and are accompanied by catalyst migration into the membrane, worsening catalyst/ionomer integration, and weakening of the catalyst/membrane interface. For ruthenium-containing catalysts, the in situ performances are higher but durabilities lower than Ir baselines, and any performance advantage is lost within the test. Increased loss is likely due to the higher dissolution rate; microscopy confirmed greater degrees of ruthenium migration. For Ir metal or mixed oxides, ex situ activity improvements generally did not translate to in situ performance. The durability, however, is significantly lower and the loss rate increased from 3 (oxide) to 9 (metal) μV cycle^-1. These results are consistent with historical findings in literature, rationalize the continued use of iridium oxide as a baseline catalyst, and demonstrate that traditional catalyst development approaches may not improve device-level durability when focused on low-cost applications. A shift in focus may therefore be more effective at improving catalyst utilization andmore » lessening load requirements.« less

Authors:

Alia, Shaun M.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Alia, Shaun M."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-7647-9383"

Reeves, Kimberly S. ^[2]; Yu, Haoran ^[2]; Park, Jae Hyung ^[3]; Kariuki, Nancy N.  ^[3];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Kariuki, Nancy N."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-6123-7373"

Kropf, A. Jeremy ^[3]; Myers, Deborah J.  ^[3];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Myers, Deborah J."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-9299-3916"

Cullen, David A.  ^[2]

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Cullen, David A."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-2593-7866"

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
2. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
3. Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Publication Date:

Fri Feb 23 00:00:00 EST 2024

Research Org.:

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO)

OSTI Identifier:

2328104

Report Number(s):

NREL/JA-5900-88213
Journal ID: ISSN 0013-4651; MainId:88988;UUID:0430ed28-1468-4335-8ae9-010558cb4af4;MainAdminId:72144

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC36-08GO28308; AC02–06CH11357

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Journal of the Electrochemical Society

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 171; Journal Issue: 2; Journal ID: ISSN 0013-4651

Publisher:

IOP Publishing

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

08 HYDROGEN; 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; degradation; electrolysis