Highly Efficient Honeycomb Ir Coated LGDL with Low Loading for Green Hydrogen Generation in PEM Electrolyzer Cells

Abstract

The catalyst-coated liquid/gas diffusion layers (CCLGDLs) have been demonstrated to promote the catalyst conductivity and utilization in proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells (PEMECs) 1-3. In this study, honeycomb Ir catalysts are deposited on titanium thin and tunable liquid/gas diffusion layers (LGDLs) and developed as highly efficient anode electrodes in PEMECs. The uniform honeycomb catalyst structures provide abundant active sites and favorable bubble detachment and enhance the Ir catalyst kinetics and activity. As a result, the honeycomb catalyst-coated LGDL (CCLGDL) with low Ir catalyst loading and outstanding structural stability exhibits remarkable PEMEC performance. References J. Mo, Z. Kang, S.T. Retterer, D.A. Cullen, T.J. Toops, J.B. Green Jr, M.M. Mench, and F-Y. Zhang. “Discovery of true electrochemical reactions for ultrahigh catalyst mass activity in water splitting.” Science Advances, 2, 1600690 (2016).Z. Xie, S. Yu, G. Yang, K. Li, L. Ding, W. Wang, D.A. Cullen, H.M. Meyer III, S.T. Retterer, Z. Wu, P. Gao and F-Y. Zhang. "Ultrathin platinum nanowire based electrodes for high-efficiency hydrogen generation in practical electrolyzer cells." Chemical Engineering Journal. 410, 128333 (2021).Z. Kang, J. Mo, G. Yang, S.T. Retterer, D.A. Cullen, T.J. Toops, J.B. Green Jr, M.M. Mench, and F-Y. Zhang. “Investigation of thin/well-tunable liquid/gas diffusion layers exhibiting superior multifunctional performance in low-temperature electrolytic water splitting.” Energy & Environmental Science, 10, 166-175 (2017).