We present ultralow Ir-loaded (ULL) proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) cells that can produce enough hydrogen to largely decarbonize the global natural gas, transportation, and electrical storage sectors by 2050, using only half of the annual global Ir production for PEMWE deployment. This represents a significant improvement in PEMWE's global potential, enabled by careful control of the anode catalyst layer (CL), including its mesostructure and catalyst dispersion. Using commercially relevant membranes (Nafion 117), cell materials, electrocatalysts, and fabrication techniques, we achieve at peak a 250× improvement in Ir mass activity over commercial PEMWEs. An optimal Ir loading of 0.011 mgIr cm–2 operated at an Ir-specific power of ∼100 MW kgIr–1 at a cell potential of ∼1.66 V versus RHE (85% higher heating value efficiency). We further evaluate the performance limitations within the ULL regime and offer new insights and guidance in CL design relevant to the broader energy conversion field.
BT - ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces DA - 11/2020 DO - 10.1021/acsami.0c15687 IS - 47 LA - eng N2 -We present ultralow Ir-loaded (ULL) proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) cells that can produce enough hydrogen to largely decarbonize the global natural gas, transportation, and electrical storage sectors by 2050, using only half of the annual global Ir production for PEMWE deployment. This represents a significant improvement in PEMWE's global potential, enabled by careful control of the anode catalyst layer (CL), including its mesostructure and catalyst dispersion. Using commercially relevant membranes (Nafion 117), cell materials, electrocatalysts, and fabrication techniques, we achieve at peak a 250× improvement in Ir mass activity over commercial PEMWEs. An optimal Ir loading of 0.011 mgIr cm–2 operated at an Ir-specific power of ∼100 MW kgIr–1 at a cell potential of ∼1.66 V versus RHE (85% higher heating value efficiency). We further evaluate the performance limitations within the ULL regime and offer new insights and guidance in CL design relevant to the broader energy conversion field.
PY - 2020 SP - 52701 EP - 52712 ST - ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces T2 - ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces TI - Pathway to Complete Energy Sector Decarbonization with Available Iridium Resources using Ultralow Loaded Water ElectrolyzersPathway to Complete Energy Sector Decarbonization with Available Iridium Resources using Ultralow Loaded Water Electrolyzers VL - 12 SN - 1944-8244 ER -