Development of Pt coated SS316 mesh gas diffusion electrodes for a PEM water electrolyzer anode

Abstract

Cell performance of the polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers is highly depended on the transferred water amount through the cell. Thus, anode gas diffusion electrodes should be selected carefully due to its effect on the overpotentials like mass transfer limitations and ohmic losses inside the cell. In this study, to reduce the cost of polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers systems, stainless steel mesh electrodes (SS316) were used for a cheaper option as an anodic gas diffusion electrode for the polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers. Pressure change measurement experiments were conducted to select the best mesh electrode pore size. In the pressure change measurement experiments, the M1 sample had the lowest pressure drops around 1.02 kPa. After the pressure change experiments, the M1 sample was coated by Pt noble metal in different molar ratios using electrodeposition method, like 1 mM (Case 1), 2 mM (Case 2), and 3 mM (Case 3). At 1.9 V, the current density was improved around 300% compared to the uncoated electrode in Case 3 sample. According to the results, it was seen that the Pt coated stainless steel electrode could be used as an alternative cost-effective gas diffusion electrode in polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzer system.