Polarization characteristics of a low catalyst loading PEM water electrolyzer operating at elevated temperature

Byung Seok Lee, Hee Young Park, Insoo Choi, Min Kyung Cho, Hyoung Juhn Kim, Sung Jong Yoo, Dirk Henkensmeier, Jin Young Kim, Suk Woo Nam, Sehkyu Park, Kwan Young Lee, Jong Hyun Jang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effect of temperature and pressure, and diffusion layer thickness is assessed on performance of a proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) with an ultralow iridium oxide (IrO2) loading (0.1 mg cm-2) anode prepared by electrodeposition and a Pt/C catalyzed cathode with a Pt loading of 0.4 mg cm-2. Increasing pressure to 2.5 bar at 120 °C enhances the water electrolysis current, so the anode electrodeposited with 0.1 mg cm-2 IrO2 gives a current density of 1.79 A cm-2 at 1.6 V, which is comparable to the conventional powder-type IrO2 electrode with 2.0 mg cm-2 at a temperature of 120 °C and pressure of 2.5 bar. The major factors for cell performances are rationalized in terms of overpotentials, water flow rates and thickness of diffusion layers, based on polarization behavior and ac-impedance response.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)127-134
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Power Sources
Volume309
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016 Mar 31

Keywords

  • Electrodeposition
  • High temperature
  • Iridium oxide
  • Oxygen evolution reaction
  • Polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzer
  • Pressure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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