Recent progress in understanding the catalyst layer in anion exchange membrane electrolyzers – durability, utilization, and integration

Volk, Emily K.; Kreider, Melissa E.; Kwon, Stephanie; Alia, Shaun M.

doi:10.1039/d3ey00193h

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 195 publications

(479 reference statements)

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“…R charge represents the interfacial resistance between the electrode and the electrolyte. 61–63 In general, stronger adhesion between the membrane and the catalyst layers results in lower interfacial resistance, consequently reducing R charge .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crosslinked high-performance anion exchange membranes based on poly(dibenzyl N-methyl piperidine) and pentafluorobenzoyl-substituted SEBS

Jeon,

Han,

Lee

et al. 2024

J. Mater. Chem. A

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crosslinked high-performance anion exchange membranes based on poly(dibenzyl N-methyl piperidine) and pentafluorobenzoyl-substituted SEBS

Jeon,

Han,

Lee

et al. 2024

J. Mater. Chem. A

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“…A comprehensive method is essential to optimize the durability and performance of AEMWE systems. [38][39][40][41] The impact of OH À and Cl À concentrations on the activity and stability of the OER and HER catalysts is of particular interest for direct seawater electrolysis. [42] As shown in Table 1 hydroxyl ions are formed during the HER, which increases the pH and negatively impacts the activity of the cathode.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Catalysts for Direct Seawater Electrolysis: Current Status and Future Prospectives

Kasani,

Maric,

Bonville

et al. 2024

ChemElectroChem

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Global freshwater shortage is forcing researchers to focus on seawater electrolysis for large‐scale green hydrogen production. Seawater purification by reverse osmosis (RO) for use in conventional water electrolyzers (WEs) is another approach, however, that requires large capital investments. Alternatively, seawater can be used directly in a novel type of anion exchange membrane WE (AEMWE) which is currently under development. The AEMWEs have the advantage of using non‐precious catalysts and are less sensitive to the presence of impurities. Success in this early‐stage technology relies on the development of efficient and durable electrocatalysts. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the status and future trends for developing catalysts operating directly with seawater. Catalysts are ranked based on their activity and durability at high current densities of 500 mAcm−2 and 1000 mAcm−2. Notable anode catalysts, S−NiFe2O4, and NiFe LDH, exhibit reduced OER overpotentials of 287 mV and 296 mV at 1000 mAcm−2. Top‐performing cathode HER catalysts include HW−NiMoN‐2 h (132 mV) and Pt−Co−Mo (117 mV) at 1000 mAcm−2. Bifunctional catalysts, such as CoxPv@NC can operate below an overall voltage of 2 V at 1000 mAcm−2. This comparative analysis provides researchers and professionals with critical insights for advancing direct seawater electrolysis.

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“…31,33 While AEMWE does not have the same limitations of catalyst cost, the properties of the catalyst, ionomer, and PTL are currently inferior to those of PEMWE. 34 First, the transition metal oxides typically used as alkaline OER catalysts have orders of magnitude lower electronic conductivity than IrO 2 , which can lead to large ohmic losses. 35 A study comparing OER catalysts in RDE and AEMWE found that catalyst performance in AEMWE was more strongly correlated to the conductivity of a catalyst than its intrinsic OER activity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While AEMWE does not have the same limitations of catalyst cost, the properties of the catalyst, ionomer, and PTL are currently inferior to those of PEMWE . First, the transition metal oxides typically used as alkaline OER catalysts have orders of magnitude lower electronic conductivity than IrO 2 , which can lead to large ohmic losses .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the Effects of Anode Catalyst Conductivity and Loading on Catalyst Layer Utilization and Performance for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis

Kreider,

Yu,

Osmieri

et al. 2024

ACS Catal.

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Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) is a promising technology to produce hydrogen from low-cost, renewable power sources. Recently, the efficiency and durability of AEMWE have improved significantly due to advances in the anion exchange polymers and catalysts. To achieve performances and lifetimes competitive with proton exchange membrane or liquid alkaline electrolyzers, however, improvements in the integration of materials into the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) are needed. In particular, the integration of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst, ionomer, and transport layer in the anode catalyst layer has significant impacts on catalyst utilization and voltage losses due to the transport of gases, hydroxide ions, and electrons within the anode. This study investigates the effects of the properties of the OER catalyst and the catalyst layer morphology on performance. Using cross-sectional electron microscopy and in-plane conductivity measurements for four PGM-free catalysts, we determine the catalyst layer thickness, uniformity, and electronic conductivity and further use a transmission line model to relate these properties to the catalyst layer resistance and utilization. We find that increased loading is beneficial for catalysts with high electronic conductivity and uniform catalyst layers, resulting in up to 55% increase in current density at 2 V due to decreased kinetic and catalyst layer resistance losses, while for catalysts with lower conductivity and/or less uniform catalyst layers, there is minimal impact. This work provides important insights into the role of catalyst layer properties beyond intrinsic catalyst activity in AEMWE performance.

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Recent progress in understanding the catalyst layer in anion exchange membrane electrolyzers – durability, utilization, and integration

Abstract: This review discusses recent insights in catalyst layer design strategies for anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers, including electrode design, catalyst/ionomer integration, operational variables, in situ diagnostics, and cell durability.

Cited by 11 publications

References 195 publications

Crosslinked high-performance anion exchange membranes based on poly(dibenzyl N-methyl piperidine) and pentafluorobenzoyl-substituted SEBS

Crosslinked high-performance anion exchange membranes based on poly(dibenzyl N-methyl piperidine) and pentafluorobenzoyl-substituted SEBS

Catalysts for Direct Seawater Electrolysis: Current Status and Future Prospectives

Understanding the Effects of Anode Catalyst Conductivity and Loading on Catalyst Layer Utilization and Performance for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis

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