Optimized NiFe-LDH catalyst layers boost anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer performance and durability

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 238, pp. 155383

Abstract

The optimization of anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) relies on active, stable catalysts and well-designed catalyst layers. This study investigates the impact of tumbler ball milling on a nickel–iron layered double hydroxide (Ni 3 Fe-LDH) catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Milling reduced catalyst clusters from 1-100 μm to 30 nm, increasing the geometrical surface area by 8.8-fold. Optimized solvent compositions and dispersing times enhanced catalyst dispersion stability. Tailoring the electrode structure reduced internal electronic resistances and charge-transfer resistances of the membrane electrode assembly. The optimized electrode exhibited outstanding single-cell performance, reaching 1.83 V at 2 A cm −2 with stable durability of 1000 h and a minor degradation rate of 62 μV h −1 . This work presents a scalable approach to NiFe-LDH catalyst treatment and dispersion control, demonstrating the importance of research and optimization across scales to improve performance and support the practical advancement of hydrogen technologies.

Authors 9

1. Alaa Y. Faid

   Norwegian University of Science and Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7034, Trondheim, Norway

2. Nikita Grigorev Aachen Institute of Mineral Engineering (GHI)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Mineral Engineering (GHI), RWTH Aachen University, 52056, Aachen, Germany

3. Wulyu Jiang

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Technologies, Electrochemical Process Engineering (IET-4), 52425, Jülich, Germany

4. Patrick Borowski

   Evonik (Germany)

   Affiliation as printed

   Evonik Operations GmbH, 45772, Marl, Germany

5. Svein Sunde

   Norwegian University of Science and Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7034, Trondheim, Norway

6. Meital Shviro

   National Laboratory of the Rockies · Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Chemistry and Nanoscience Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, 80401, Colorado, United States

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Technologies, Electrochemical Process Engineering (IET-4), 52425, Jülich, Germany

7. Werner Lehnert Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Technologies, Electrochemical Process Engineering (IET-4), 52425, Jülich, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Modelling in Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52056, Aachen, Germany

8. Fabian Scheepers

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Technologies, Electrochemical Process Engineering (IET-4), 52425, Jülich, Germany

9. Anna K. Mechler Aachen

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Technologies, Electrochemical Process Engineering (IET-4), 52425, Jülich, Germany

   JARA-ENERGY, 52056, Aachen, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, Electrochemical Reaction Engineering (AVT.ERT), 52056, Aachen, Germany