Enhancing water and oxygen transport through electrode engineering for AEM water electrolyzers

Abstract

Anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) can accelerate the deployment of more efficient and affordable hydrogen production solutions. Here, electrode structure is shown to affect water back-diffusion and oxygen transport, which, in return, governs overpotential behaviors in AEMWEs. Measurements indicate that electrode with copious catalytic sites produces water close to the AEM, creating a higher water gradient and driving water back-diffusion, which improves membrane hydration and mass transport. In situ measurement reveals a high pH gradient near the anode surface, which affects anode kinetics. Operando measurement shows reduced oxygen accumulation when decoupling oxygen production and transport on anode. Catalyst ink rheology and stability are tuned with additives to realize scalable fabrication of electrodes with enhanced transport features, allowing AEMWE to operate at 2 A cm⁻² for over 1,000+ h at a 2.3 μV h⁻¹ degradation rate. Analysis during and post-durability provides insights into degradation mechanisms. This work demonstrates an electrode design strategy for efficient and durable AEMWEs.