On the role of porous transport layer thickness in polymer electrolyte water electrolysis

Weber, Carl Cesar; Schuler, Tobias; Bruycker, Ruben De; Gubler, Lorenz; Büchi, Félix N.; Angelis, Salvatore De

doi:10.1016/j.powera.2022.100095

Cited by 29 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Increasing power density causes a local increase in temperature, which can lead to a reduction in the measured HFR. 8,17 However, for all the 2D PTLs, we observe a strong increase in HFR with increasing current density. This increase is not equal for all materials but follows again the same trend (porosity, pore size, and SPEL).…”

Section: Pewe Performance Comparison and Kinetic Analysismentioning

confidence: 72%

“…The protocols for electrochemical performance tests were analogous to the references. ,, A Biologic VSP - 300 (Bio-Logic SAS, France) potentiostat is used for electrochemical measurements. The potentiostat allows for simultaneous HFR measurements while recording the polarization curves.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this scenario, it is essential to utilize the available catalyst as efficiently as possible. Recent studies have shown that the structure of the PTL can have an essential impact on CL utilization. − Several studies have investigated the bulk properties of the PTL − and the respective fluidic transport during operation. − A significant influence affecting CL utilization is related to the surface properties of the PTL rather than the bulk features. ,,− This is linked to two main reasons: (i) the poor electronic in-plane (IP) conductivity of typical CLs, caused by the disruption of the electronic percolation network of the CL structure and (ii) the in-plane mass transport limitation in the porous structure of the CL under the contact points between PTL and CL.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How the Porous Transport Layer Interface Affects Catalyst Utilization and Performance in Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolysis

Weber

Wrubel

Gubler

et al. 2023

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

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Cost reduction and fast scale-up of electrolyzer technologies are essential for decarbonizing several crucial branches of industry. For polymer electrolyte water electrolysis, this requires a dramatic reduction of the expensive and scarce iridium-based catalyst, making its efficient utilization a key factor. The interfacial properties between the porous transport layer (PTL) and the catalyst layer (CL) are crucial for optimal catalyst utilization. Therefore, it is essential to understand the relationship between this interface and electrochemical performance. In this study, we fabricated a matrix of two-dimensional interface layers with a well-known model structure, integrating them as an additional layer between the PTL and the CL. By characterizing the performance and conducting an in-depth analysis of the overpotentials, we were able to estimate the catalyst utilization at different current densities, correlating them to the geometric properties of the model PTLs. We found that large areas of the CL become inactive at increasing current density either due to dry-out, oxygen saturation (under the PTL), or the high resistance of the CL away from the pore edges. We experimentally estimated the water penetration in the CL under the PTL to be ≈20 μm. Experimental results were corroborated using a 3D-multiphysics model to calculate the current distribution in the CL and estimate the impact of membrane dry-out. Finally, we observed a strong pressure dependency on performance and high-frequency resistance, which indicates that with the employed model PTLs, a significant gas phase accumulates in the CL under the lands, hindering the distribution of liquid water. The findings of this work can be extrapolated to improve and engineer PTLs with advanced interface properties, helping to reach the required target goals in cost and iridium loadings.

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Section: Pewe Performance Comparison and Kinetic Analysismentioning

confidence: 72%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How the Porous Transport Layer Interface Affects Catalyst Utilization and Performance in Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolysis

Weber

Wrubel

Gubler

et al. 2023

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

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“…[ 25,31–33 ] For instance, Weber et al. [ 34 ] suggested an optimum ratio of 0.5 between PTL thickness and flow field rib width. Furthermore, the interface between PTL and the catalyst layer has been the subject of several studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore several studies were performed in the last years to investigate the influence of the structure of a PTL on the electrochemical performance in CCM setups. [25,[31][32][33] For instance, Weber et al [34] suggested an optimum ratio of 0.5 between PTL thickness and flow field rib width. Furthermore, the interface between PTL and the catalyst layer has been the subject of several studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward Understanding Catalyst Layer Deposition Processes and Distribution in Anodic Porous Transport Electrodes in Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers

Bierling

McLaughlin

Mayerhöfer

et al. 2023

Advanced Energy Materials

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Finding the optimum structure in porous transport electrodes (PTEs) for proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer anodes is one of the central current technological challenges. Both the structure of the porous transport layer (PTL) and its interaction with the catalyst layer are crucial in finding this optimum structure. In this regard, manufacturing the catalyst layer on top of a PTL as a structure‐building process must be understood to find improved transport electrode structures. This work presents a PTE tomography where the catalyst ink is directly processed on a PTL. The catalyst distribution of anodic PTEs is analyzed and compared via X‐ray microtomography and cross‐sectional imaging of embedded PTE samples. The majority of the catalyst lies within the first 100 µm of the PTE. Considering the penetration depth of the membrane, a maximum of 60% of the catalyst is effectively used. For the first time, a voxel‐based catalyst layer deposition model is created and analyzed that is based on simple assumptions in the deposition process. This deposition model fits very well with the previous tomographic analysis. In the future, this model will allow more profound insight into the manufacturing process and is an important prerequisite for a future optimum design of PTEs.

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Integrated‐Channel Porous Transport Layers Reduce Ohmic and Mass Transport Losses in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolyzers

Tugirumubano,

Seip,

Zhu

et al. 2024

Adv Funct Materials

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To mitigate the impacts of anthropogenic climate change, clean energy storage solutions such as hydrogen produced via polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) are critically required. However, the porous transport layer (PTL) in current PEMWE systems lacks optimization of through‐plane and in‐plane transport properties. In this work, a PTL design with integrated channels (IC‐PTL) to improve the PTL/flow channel interface and provide additional pathways for in‐plane flow is proposed. As current density increases, the IC‐PTL reduces mass transport overpotentials by up to 71.4% compared to the baseline PTL (B‐PTL) assembly due to shorter mass transport pathways. Moreover, the IC‐PTL lowers ohmic overpotentials at high current densities by up to 42.8% due to improved interfacial contact and enhanced membrane hydration. Membrane hydration is further quantified via X‐ray synchrotron radiography analysis of changes in membrane thickness and X‐ray transmission through the membrane, revealing that the IC‐PTL assembly displays a consistently thicker membrane and recovers from thinning faster than the B‐PTL assembly. Furthermore, membrane hydration is impacted more at the catalyst layer interfaces than in the center of the membrane. As such, the addition of in‐plane transport pathways to next‐generation PTL designs to improve membrane hydration and mass transport is recommended.

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On the role of porous transport layer thickness in polymer electrolyte water electrolysis

Cited by 29 publications

References 19 publications

How the Porous Transport Layer Interface Affects Catalyst Utilization and Performance in Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolysis

How the Porous Transport Layer Interface Affects Catalyst Utilization and Performance in Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolysis

Toward Understanding Catalyst Layer Deposition Processes and Distribution in Anodic Porous Transport Electrodes in Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers

Integrated‐Channel Porous Transport Layers Reduce Ohmic and Mass Transport Losses in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolyzers

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