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| Home > Publications database > Optimization of Blade Coating Processes for the Production of Large Scale PEMEC MEAs with Low Iridium Loading |
| Home > Publications database > Optimization of Blade Coating Processes for the Production of Large Scale PEMEC MEAs with Low Iridium Loading |
| Conference Presentation (After Call) | FZJ-2026-00063 |
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2025
Abstract: Current efforts in the development of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE) are driven by the ongoing energy transition and the need to phase out fossil fuels, to reduce dependence on other countries for energy supply. However, since this technology strongly relies on precious metals for their functioning, it is imperative to reduce their content while ensuring good performances. Stability overtime is also a major concern, since these devices are expected to operate for hundreds of hours while delivering the same amount of H2 throughout their life cycle.In this work we present our recent results regarding the preparation of Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs) made with supported catalyst commercially available and their performance on PEMWE.Firstly, we prepared the ink containing the catalyst powder (Pt/C for the cathode and IrOx/TiOx for the anode), DI water, IPA and Nafion ionomer. The mixtures were ultrasonicated and the resulting slurries were used for the deposition process on Kapton HN substrates by Doctor Blade technique. This technique was chosen since it is easily transferable to roll-to-roll compatible slot-die coating, and hence for industrial application. Through decal transfer process, catalyst layers of 25 cm2 were transferred on Nafion 115 using a hot press machine, the MEA was named Ir75OxTiOx|N115|PtC. Pt and Ir loading of cathode and anode were 0.22 and 0.35 mg/cm2 respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the MEAs´ morphology and cross section. In order to record stable results under realistic conditions, the cell was subjected to 50 hours of conditioning, in which the current density was increased stepwise from 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and finally 2.0 A/cm2. Then a polarization curve was recorded, here performance of Ir75OxTiOx|N115|PtC was reported; the plot show how at 1.0 A/cm2 the cell voltage was only 1.8 V, a very low value considering that the Ir load was only 0.35 mg/cm2. Stability curve at 2.0 A/cm2 was recorded after 50 h of conditioning, showing no sign of degradation, paving the way for future scale-up further to 100 cm2 and beyond.
Keyword(s): Chemistry (2nd)
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