Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolyzers Utilizing Non‐precious Mo‐based Hydrogen Evolution Catalysts

Abstract

The development of low-cost hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts that can be readily integrated into electrolyzers is critical if H2 from renewable electricity-powered electrolysis is to compete cost effectively with steam reforming. Herein, we report three distinct earth-abundant Mo-based catalysts, namely those based on MoSx , [Mo3 S13 ](2-) nanoclusters, and sulfur-doped Mo phosphide (MoP|S), loaded onto carbon supports. The catalysts were synthesized through facile impregnation-sulfidization routes specifically designed for catalyst-device compatibility. Fundamental electrochemical studies demonstrate the excellent HER activity and stability of the Mo-sulfide based catalysts in an acidic environment, and the resulting polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers that integrate these catalysts exhibit high efficiency and durability. This work is an important step towards the goal of replacing Pt with earth-abundant catalysts for the HER in commercial PEM electrolyzers.

All‐Hydrocarbon MEA for PEM Water Electrolysis Combining Low Hydrogen Crossover and High Efficiency

“…Figure 3 a shows the cell polarization of the two sPPS‐MEAs (purple) and the two Nafion‐MEAs (green), where the error bars correspond to the standard deviation between the individual measurements. The performance of the herein reported Nafion‐MEAs (1.49 ± 0.01 A cm −2 at 1.8 V) is in line with current state‐of‐the‐art performance in literature, despite lower catalyst loading than the majority of the reports [ 30–35 ] and therefore a suitable benchmark.…”

[Mo3S13]2− Cluster Decorated Sulfur‐doped Reduced Graphene Oxide as Noble Metal‐Free Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolyzers

“…In PEM electrolyzers, high catalyst loadings are needed to achieve high power densities . Thus catalyst utilization at higher loadings is key to avoid mass transport limitations.…”

Facile electrochemical preparation of nonprecious Co‐Cu alloy catalysts for hydrogen production in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis

“…This cell showed excellent performance of 1.2 A cm −2 at 2.0 V cell , which is superior to the performance of electrolyzers using other non-Pt catalysts shown in Figure 6D (FeCoP: 0.95 A cm −2 , 66 WC@NC: 0.78 A cm −2 , 67 CuMo: 0.73 A cm −2 , 37 NiCoOS: 0.72 A cm −2 , 68 and FeS 2 /C: 0.56 A cm −2 , 69 ). In addition, the performance of the Co-Cu alloy catalyst is similar or slightly lower than that of NiP (1.31 A cm −2 ), 31 Mo@Ru (1.156 A cm −2 ), 70 and MoP|S-CB (1.14 A cm −2 ) 71 and is approximately 39% to 60% of that of Pt-based PEMWEs (3.1, 24 2.69, 49 2.25, 20 and 2.0 A cm −219 ). The EIS analysis of single cell was performed in the frequency range of 10 4 to 10 −1 at 2.0 V cell and shown in inset of Figure 6E.…”