Investigations on degradation of the long-term proton exchange membrane water electrolysis stack

Sun, Shucheng; Shao, Zhigang; Yu, Hongmei; Yi, Baolian

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.05.117

Cited by 151 publications

(103 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(23 reference statements)

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“…Figure 3c depicts as well that for all MEAs the efficiency improves as E cell decreases over time. These effects contradicts other reports, where degradation rates of 1.5 up to 35.5 μV h -1 were measured [43,44] and suggest that the MEAs do not experience any degradation. In the next sections EIS is used to separate several degradation effects, combined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of the DI water resin and SEM and AFM cross-section imaging for post mortem analysis.…”

Section: Performance Of the Electrolyzercontrasting

confidence: 99%

Durable Membrane Electrode Assemblies for Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer Systems Operating at High Current Densities

Lettenmeier

Wang

Abouatallah

et al. 2016

Electrochimica Acta

133

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High efficiencies, wide operation range and rapid response time have motivated the recent interest in proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis for hydrogen generation with surplus electricity. However, degradation at high current densities and the associated mechanism has not been thoroughly explored so far. In this work, membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) from different suppliers are aged in a commercial PEM electrolyzer (2.5 N m 3 H 2 h -1 ), operating up to 4 A cm -2 for more than 750 h. In all cases, the cell voltage (E cell ) decreases during the testing period. Interestingly, the cells with Ir-black anodes exhibit the highest performance with the lowest precious metal loading (1 mg cm -2 ). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) shows a progressive decrease in the specific exchange current, while the ohmic resistance decreases when doubling the nominal current density. This effect translates into an enhancement of cell efficiency at high current densities. However, Ir concurrently leaches out and diffuses into the membrane. No decrease in membrane thickness is observed at the end of the tests. High current densities do not lead to lowering the performance of the PEM electrolyzer over time, although MEA components degrade, in particular the anode.

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Section: Performance Of the Electrolyzercontrasting

confidence: 99%

Durable Membrane Electrode Assemblies for Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer Systems Operating at High Current Densities

Lettenmeier

Wang

Abouatallah

et al. 2016

Electrochimica Acta

133

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“…Behind the separator, there are electrodes whose surface is covered with elec- That is why the electrodes are commercially made with an SPE base coated The problems of durability [73] in the PEM cells lie in the replacement of protons by other cations losing conductivity [74], the loss of dimensional properties under temperature and pressure [75], the degradation by the formation of HF [76] and the ohmic losses by the oxidation of Ti present in the collectors and bipolar plates [77]. In contrast, alkaline electrolyzers are intrinsically more durable but it is important to be careful with the Ni disolution when the cell potential falls below 1.23V, so it would be necessary to maintain a stand-by power that would hinder direct and isolated interconnection with renewable energies.…”

Section: Comparison Of Electrolytic Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in alkaline water electrolyzers: A review

David

Ocampo‐Martínez

Peña

2019

Journal of Energy Storage

428

235

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The renewed concern for the care of the environment has led to lower emissions of greenhouse gases without sacrificing modern comforts. Widespread proposal focuses on energy produced from renewable sources and its subsequent storage and transportation based on hydrogen. Currently, this gas applies to the chemical industry and its production is based on fossil fuels. The introduction of this energy vector requires the development of environmental-friendly methods for obtaining it. In this paper, existing techniques are just presented and the main focus is made on electrolysis, a mature procedure. In turn, some developed proposals as previous steps to the hydrogen economy are presented. Finally, some lines of research to improve alkaline electrolysis technology are commented.

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“…The cations contaminate the membrane by exchanging with protons in the PFSA material, which leads to decreased proton conductivity. Sun et al 92 have confirmed the reversibility of the ion-poisoning mechanism when they measured Cu, Fe and Ca contamination of the MEAs before and after 7800 hours of operation in a 9-cell electrolyzer stack using electron probe microanalysis. The increase of the content of these elements is more pronounced in the anode and membrane region compared to the cathode.…”

mentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Most of the literature is focused on the degradation phenomena related to the CCM. [88][89][90][91][92][93][94] Typical membrane degradation originates from thermal, chemical and mechanical stressors present during operation. 95 Polymer membranes, usually PFSA membranes, e.g.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical Review—Identifying Critical Gaps for Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolysis Development

Babic

Suermann

Büchi

et al. 2017

J. Electrochem. Soc.

394

347

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Although polymer electrolyte water electrolyzers (PEWEs) have been used in small-scale (kW to tens of kW range) applications for several decades, PEWE technology for hydrogen production in energy applications (power-to-gas, power-to-fuel, etc.) requires significant improvements in the technology to address the challenges associated with cost, performance and durability. Systems with power of hundreds of kW or even MWs, corresponding to hydrogen production rates of around 10 to 20 kg/h, have started to appear in the past 5 years. The thin (∼0.2 mm) polymer electrolyte in the PEWE with low ohmic resistance, compared to the alkaline cell with liquid electrolyte, allows operation at high current densities of 1-3 A/cm 2 and high differential pressure. This article, after an introductory overview of the operating principles of PEWE and state-of-the-art, discusses the state of understanding of key phenomena determining and limiting performance, durability, and commercial readiness, identifies important 'gaps' in understanding and essential development needs to bring PEWE science & engineering forward to prosper in the energy market as one of its future backbone technologies. For this to be successful, science, engineering, and process development as well as business and market development need to go hand in hand. In 2015, the global primary energy consumption was 153 PWh, 1 corresponding to an average rate of energy conversion of 17 TW. About 30% (∼6 TW) of this is used for electricity generation, which yields around 2.8 TW of electrical power (24 PWh per year). Around two thirds of the electricity is generated from fossil fuels, hydropower contributes 16%, nuclear power 11%, and other renewables (such as solar and wind) only 6.7%.1 Solar (photovoltaics) and wind power have a combined installed capacity of about 660 GW (in 2015).2 Electricity supply based on a significant share of these "new renewables" is associated with large discrepancies between supply and demand, owing to the intermittent nature of these primary energy sources. Hence, solutions for the grid-scale storage of electricity need to be developed and implemented. The electrochemical splitting of water (electrolysis) is a clean and efficient process offering interesting prospects to store large amounts of excess electricity in form of chemical energy ('power-to-gas' concept). 3,4 The produced hydrogen and oxygen can be used to regenerate electricity in periods of low production and high demand or serve as clean transportation fuel for fuel cell electric vehicles. Therefore, water electrolysis is a key technology in future sustainable energy scenarios, since hydrogen as an energy 'vector', i.e., as a universal energy carrier, could promote the decarbonization of the energy economy, or even become its backbone in the context of a 'hydrogen economy'.5 Moreover, the produced hydrogen can be used to methanate CO 2 from suitable sources, such as biogas plants, to produce synthetic natural gas (SNG), which can be injected and stored in the natural gas network. 6...

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Investigations on degradation of the long-term proton exchange membrane water electrolysis stack

Cited by 151 publications

References 30 publications

Durable Membrane Electrode Assemblies for Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer Systems Operating at High Current Densities

Durable Membrane Electrode Assemblies for Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer Systems Operating at High Current Densities

Advances in alkaline water electrolyzers: A review

Critical Review—Identifying Critical Gaps for Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolysis Development

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