Electrocatalysis in water electrolysis with solid polymer electrolyte

TitleElectrocatalysis in water electrolysis with solid polymer electrolyte
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsRasten E, Hagen G, Tunold R
JournalElectrochimica Acta
Volume48
Issue25
Pagination3945-3952
ISSN0013-4686
Abstract

Powders of IrO2 were used as anode catalysts in water electrolysis cells with solid polymer electrolyte (SPE). The catalyst was prepared by a pyrolysis process in a nitrate melt at 340°C and then annealed at different temperatures from 440 to 540°C. The catalyst materials were applied to an electrode membrane assembly (MEA) and studied in situ in an electrolysis cell using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and stationary current density–potential relations. The impedance results clearly show that the non-annealed material possesses the highest electrocatalytic activity and that this activity deteriorates with increasing annealing temperature. The electrical conductivity, however, increases by increasing annealing temperature. Optimum annealing conditions were found at 490°C, where the total polarisation reaches a minimum in the high current density range (1–2 A cm−2), at the actual conditions. Increased crystallinity and size of the particles with increasing annealing temperature was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A very high electrochemical performance was obtained in a water electrolysis cell using IrO2 on the anode side and Pt on Vulcan XC-72 on the cathode side, corresponding to a current density of 1 A cm−2 at 1.60 V.

Notes

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URLhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013468603005334
DOI10.1016/j.electacta.2003.04.001
Alternate JournalElectrocatalysis:From Theory to Industrial Applications
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