Stainless Steel Felt as a Combined OER Electrocatalyst/Porous Transport Layer for Investigating Anion-Exchange Membranes in Water Electrolysis

Author(s)

Chen, Binyu ; Biancolli, Ana Laura G. ; Radford, Chase L. ; Holdcroft, Steven

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ACS ENERGY LETTERS; v. 8, n. 6, p. 7-pg., 2023-05-22.

Abstract

Anion-exchange membrane water electrolysis(AEMWE) isa promisingtechnology for low-cost, high-efficiency, green hydrogen production.The stability of the AEM is a critical issue but difficult to delineate in situ from degradation of the catalyst layer (CL). Moreover,the porous transport layer (PTL) can contribute electrocatalytically.Herein, we demonstrate that stainless steel (SS) felt, in the absenceof an anode CL, is highly active toward the oxygen evolution reaction(OER) (1 A cm(-2) at 1.74 V-cell) and servesas a combined OER electrocatalyst and PTL, thus simplifying the studyof AEMs in water electrolyzers. We further show that Ni felt exhibitsmuch lower OER activity than SS felt, which suggests that in situ studies of OER electrocatalysts and CL compositionsshould be performed with Ni felt, not SS felt, to reduce OER contributionsfrom the PTL. Lastly, we found that the substrate for depositing thecathode CL, AEM, or PTL strongly influences the rate of H-2 crossover. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/14786-2 - Highly stable anion exchange membranes: synthesis and electrochemical applications
• Grantee: Ana Laura Gonçalves Biancolli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 19/26955-3 - Synthesis of anion exchange membranes and ionomers for application in electrochemical conversion devices
• Grantee: Ana Laura Gonçalves Biancolli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral