Constructing Supports–Network with N–TiO2 Nanofibres for Highly Efficient Hydrogen–Production of PEM Electrolyzer

Abstract

Hydrogen production with a proton exchange membrane (PEM)electrolyzer utilized with renewable energy power is considered to be an efficient and clean green technique, but the poor oxygen evolution performance results in high energy consumption and low efficiency. In this work, a strategy is reported for the construction of a support network of the anodic catalyst layer to simultaneously ameliorate its sluggish reaction kinetics and mass transport in order to realize highly efficient hydrogen production of the PEM electrolyzer. After in situ synthesis of IrO2 nanoparticles on N–doped TiO2 nanofibers, the as–prepared IrO2/N–TiO2 electrode shows substantially enhanced Ir utilization and accelerated mass transport, consequently decreasing the corresponding cell potential of 107 mV relative to pure IrO2 at 2 A cm−2. The enhanced activity of IrO2/N–TiO2 could be due to the fact that the N–TiO2 nanofiber support can form a porous network, endowing IrO2/N–TiO2 with a large reactive contact interface and favorable mass transfer characters. The strategy in this work supplies a pathway to develop high–efficiency interfacial reaction materials for diverse applications.

Recent developments of iridium-based catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction in acidic water electrolysis

“…160 Besides, recent studies show that too much binder content will fill electrode voids resulting in an increased contact resistance, while performance losses occur at lower ionomer contents owing to the higher proton conduction resistance. 162 Nobel metal (Au, Pt, Ir) coated titanium-based PTLs can decrease the contact resistance significantly by 60 mΩ cm −2 as revealed by Gasteiger, 166 Carmo, 148 Ahn 165 and Zhang teams 150,167 (Fig. 14b).…”