PEM Electrolysis, a Forerunner for Clean Hydrogen

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis was originally developed in the 1950s and 1960s by General Electric for space applications to generate oxygen for astronaut life support. Since then, several companies have transitioned the same basic technology to products for hydrogen generation at various scales. Today, PEM water electrolysis has developed into a mature technology for green hydrogen production when integrated with renewable energy. Its advantages include high efficiency, high operating density, fast dynamic response, and the ability to operate at high and differential pressures. However, cost and durability limit the large-scale implementation of PEM electrolyzers. Major components, including catalysts, membranes, and porous transport layers, hold promise for significantly reducing the cost of PEM electrolyzers. Collaborative accelerated stress tests across different labs are highly desirable to study the degradation of PEM electrolyzers and to further improve their durability.

Surface Ir+5 Formation as a Universal Prerequisite for O2 Evolution on Ir Oxides

“…Hydrogen plays a pivotal role in all roadmaps toward a net zero society, and polymer electrolyte water electrolyzers (PEWEs) are excellently suited for their green production under the dynamic conditions entailed by the electrification of these devices with intermittent, renewable energy. 1 However, the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) occurring in PEWE anodes lead to large efficiency losses that drastically increase these electrolyzers' operational costs. Furthermore, the high price and scarcity 2 of the Ir oxides used to catalyze the OER (≈5000 $ oz Ir −1 and <9 t Ir-mined y −1 , respectively) 2,3 limit future PEWE installation capacity.…”

Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis Performance Targets for Achieving 2050 Expansion Goals Constrained by Iridium Supply

“…While significant research efforts are underway ,,, to reduce today’s average catalyst loadings of ∼1.8 mg/cm 2 , low catalyst loadings of 0.1–0.2 mg/cm 2 have been reported, ,,,, though have also been shown to cause more degradation, and further challenges remain with regards to manufacturing and ensuring an even distribution of iridium loading. , As of yet, no target year for a consistent fulfilment of current commercialized PEM electrolyzers’ performance characteristics is indicated in the literature. Here, we vary the loading from today’s 2 mg/cm 2 to more optimistic values of 0.2 mg/cm 2 , which is in line with IEA assumptions for Ir catalyst loadings by 2030 .…”

Electrochemical hydrogen production: sustainable hydrogen economy

“…181 General Electric and Grubb initially developed PEM electrolysis in the 1950s and 1960s for space applications to produce oxygen for astronaut life support; submarines were then built using the technology, firstly by Hamilton Sundstrand (now Collins Aerospace). [182][183][184][185] Since then, a number of businesses have converted the same fundamental technology into goods for hydrogen production at varying scales. The main elements of a PEM electrolyser cell are shown in Fig.…”