High Efficiency and High Durability Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers for Hydrogen Production with Advanced Catalyst Coated Membranes

Abstract

Water electrolyzers and fuel cells can be used to create a closed loop system for space exploration. Electrolyzers allow for reliable self-sustainable generation of hydrogen and oxygen for energy storage, followed by conversion into electrical energy in a fuel cell. A first-order safety concern for water electrolyzer operation is hydrogen crossover. Transport of hydrogen to the oxygen rich anode in proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzers poses safety concerns when the hydrogen concentration in the anode flow field approaches the hydrogen lower flammability limit (LFL). Hydrogen storage efficiency relies on high hydrogen pressure, leading to pressure-driven hydrogen crossover. Mitigation of hydrogen crossover through research and development of a platinum metal recombination layer has been demonstrated in high performing, durable PEMWEs.1-4 Ouimet4 explored the use of a novel dual recombination layer configuration to mitigate PEM water electrolyzer hydrogen crossover. In addition, the current state of the art for PEM fuel cells and water electrolyzers rely on perfluoro-sulfonated acid (PSFA) based membranes. There are significant challenges facing the use of PSFA-based membranes; namely, environmental contamination and performance limitations. The use of a hydrocarbon membrane allows for the development of a PSFA-free system that shows higher efficiency and durability. Investigation of hydrocarbon membranes pave way for developing a PEM water electrolyzer that will demonstrate improved gas permeability resistance, mechanical strength, and thermal stability.5-8 There is a need for both hydrogen crossover mitigation strategies and durability testing with hydrocarbon membranes.The research outlined in this work is focused on the development of PSFA-free PEM water electrolyzers with low hydrogen crossover. In this work, the dual recombination layer configuration will be incorporated into a hydrocarbon membrane for PEM water electrolysis. Polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, electrochemical equivalent circuits, distribution of relaxation times, and materials characterization will be used to investigate the cell performance and durability. References G. Mirshekari, R. Ouimet, Z. Zeng, H. Yu, S. Bliznakov, L. Bonville, A. Niedzwiecki, C. Capuano, K. Ayers, and R. Maric, “High-performance and cost-effective membrane electrode assemblies for advanced proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers: Long-term durability assessment,” international journal of hydrogen energy, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 1526–1539, 2021.Z. Zeng, R. Ouimet, L. Bonville, A. Niedzwiecki, C. Capuano, K. Ayers, A. P. Soleymani, J. Jankovic, H. Yu, G. Mirshekari, et al., “Degradation mechanisms in advanced meas for pem water electrolyzers fabricated by reactive spray deposition technology,” Journal of The Electrochemical Society, vol. 169, no. 5, p. 054536, 2022.A. Martin, D. Abbas, P. Trinke, T. Böhm, M. Bierling, B. Bensmann, S. Thiele, and R. Hanke-Rauschenbach, “Communication—proving the importance of ptinterlayer position in pemwe membranes for the effective reduction of the anodic hydrogen content,” Journal of The Electrochemical Society, vol. 168, no. 9, p. 094509, 2021.R. J. Ouimet, “Catalyst development by a novel fabrication process for energy applications,” University of Connecticut Doctoral Dissertation, 2021.P. Trinke, P. Haug, J. Brauns, B. Bensmann, R. Hanke-Rauschenbach, and T. Turek, “Hydrogen crossover in pem and alkaline water electrolysis: mechanisms, direct comparison and mitigation strategies,” Journal of The Electrochemical Society, vol. 165, no. 7, p. F502, 2018.P. Trinke, B. Bensmann, and R. Hanke-Rauschenbach, “Current density effect on hydrogen permeation in pem water electrolyzers,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 42, no. 21, pp. 14355–14366, 2017.H. Q. Nguyen and B. Shabani, “Proton exchange membrane fuel cells heat recovery opportunities for combined heating/cooling and power applications,” Energy Conversion and Management, vol. 204, p. 112328, 2020.C. Klose, T. Saatkamp, A. Münchinger, L. Bohn, G. Titvinidze, M. Breitwieser, K. D. Kreuer, and S. Vierrath, “All-hydrocarbon mea for pem water electrolysis combining low hydrogen crossover and high efficiency,” Advanced Energy Materials, vol. 10, no. 14, p. 1903995, 2020.