Magnetron sputtered Ir thin film on TiC-based support sublayer as low-loading anode catalyst for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis. (14th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kúš, Peter; Ostroverkh, Anna; Ševčíková, Klára; Khalakhan, Ivan; Fiala, Roman; Skála, Tomáš; Tsud, Nataliya; Matolin, Vladimir
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 41:Number 34(2016)
• Page Start: 15124
• Page End: 15132
• Publication Date: 2016-09-14
• Subjects: PEM water electrolysis -- Supported anode catalyst -- Iridium -- Thin film -- Titanium carbide; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.06.248
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis (PEMWE) is getting more attention in recent years as a promising alternative in context of energy storage from renewables. However high prices of platinum and iridium, currently considered to be the state-of-the-art electrocatalysts, prevent wider commercialization of this technology. In this paper, we present unconventional and cost-effective preparation method of anode catalyst, containing low amount of noble metal. Thin Ir film is magnetron sputtered on TiC-based support sublayer, hot-pressed on anode side of Nafion ® N115 PEM. Following three parameters were systematically varied and their impact on PEMWE in-cell performance was evaluated: total TiC-based support material loading on the PEM, ionomer content within the support sublayer and Ir catalyst loading on top of the support sublayer. In addition, TiC-based sublayer underwent accelerated aging procedure, followed by photoelectron spectral analysis to prove its ability to withstand high anodic potentials. Remarkable PEMWE in-cell performances were obtained, considering amount of used Ir; 1.74 V (with ∼80 μg cm −2 of Ir), 1.72 V (with ∼160 μg cm −2 of Ir) and 1.71 V (with ∼240 μg cm −2 of Ir) at 1 A cm −2 and 80 °C. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Ir was sputtered on TiC-based support sublayer, hot-pressed on anode side of PEM. TiC-based support sublayer was capable of withstanding high anodic potentials. PEMWE performances are comparable to state-of-the-art, high-loading catalysts.