Non-Platinum Group Metal Anodic Catalysts in Anion-Exchange-Membrane Electrolysis

(In-Person) Poster Presentation 

Electrolysis, also known as water splitting, consists of two half-reactions occurring within an electrolytic cell that make possible the extraction of storable and non-pollutive hydrogen gas. Anionexchange-membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) in principle operate without soluble electrolyte using earth-abundant catalysts and cell materials and thus lower the cost of green H2. However, the degradation methods of specific catalysts when used in the electrolyzer are still unclear. This study outlines the durability and activity of five commercially available non-PGM catalysts in an AEMWE system. In-situ and ex-situ characterization of each catalyst explores its electrochemical performance, conductivity, and interaction with the polymer membrane. Initial results indicate that electrical conductivity of the catalyst is a significant factor in its performance as a water oxidation catalyst in pure water. More specifically, Co3O4 catalyst nanoparticles show the greatest potential to compete with the current industry standard, IrOx, in both stability and activity. Further development of cobalt oxide catalysts, through synthesis and characterization, is required to achieve competitive durability in industrially relevant operating conditions for a pure water membrane-electrode assembly (MEA).