Cost Reduction of large scale PEM electrolyzers by New Electrocatalysts and Bipolar Plates

Abstract

Hydrogen is expected to play an important role as a crosslinking technology between power generation on one hand and transport and industry on the other hand. When produced from renewable energies such as solar or wind hydrogen generated by water electrolysis is a possibility to directly replace fossil fuels which are converted with lower efficiencies. The relevant technologies are either the mature alkaline water electrolysis or the newer proton exchange membrane water electrolysis which exhibits higher potentials for performance enhancement and cost reduction. Key components of the PEMWE that determine the stack cost are the bipolar plates (BPP) and the high loading of electrocatalyst for the OER in state of art membrane electrode assemblies. This poster presents the potentials for cost reduction by synthesizing supported IrO2 electrocatalyst replacing the corresponding unsupported electrocatalysts. The supports need to be highly stable and exhibit sufficient electronic conductivity. Additionally, the cost reduction achieved by a titanium coating for stainless steel bipolar plates for PEMWE is discussed.