Status and perspectives of key materials for PEM electrolyzer

Kexin Zhang; Xiao Liang; Lina Wang; Ke Sun; Yuannan Wang; Zhoubing Xie; Qiannan Wu; Xinyu Bai; Mohamed S. Hamdy; Hui Chen; Xiaoxin Zou

doi:10.26599/NRE.2022.9120032

Nano Research Energy (Dec 2022)

Status and perspectives of key materials for PEM electrolyzer

Kexin Zhang,
Xiao Liang,
Lina Wang,
Ke Sun,
Yuannan Wang,
Zhoubing Xie,
Qiannan Wu,
Xinyu Bai,
Mohamed S. Hamdy,
Hui Chen,
Xiaoxin Zou

Affiliations

Kexin Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Xiao Liang: State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Lina Wang: State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Ke Sun: State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Yuannan Wang: State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Zhoubing Xie: State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Qiannan Wu: State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Xinyu Bai: State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Mohamed S. Hamdy: Catalysis Research Group (CRG), Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
Hui Chen: State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Xiaoxin Zou: State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26599/NRE.2022.9120032
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 1, no. 3
p. e9120032

Abstract

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Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) represents a promising technology for the sustainable production of hydrogen, which is capable of efficiently coupling to intermittent electricity from renewable energy sources (e.g., solar and wind). The technology with compact stack structure has many notable advantages, including large current density, high hydrogen purity, and great conversion efficiency. However, the use of expensive electrocatalysts and construction materials leads to high hydrogen production costs and limited application. In this review, recent advances made in key materials of PEMWE are summarized. First, we present a brief overview about the basic principles, thermodynamics, and reaction kinetics of PEMWE. We then describe the cell components of PEMWE and their respective functions, as well as discuss the research status of key materials such as membrane, electrocatalysts, membrane electrode assemblies, gas diffusion layer, and bipolar plate. We also attempt to clarify the degradation mechanisms of PEMWE under a real operating environment, including catalyst degradation, membrane degradation, bipolar plate degradation, and gas diffusion layer degradation. We finally propose several future directions for developing PEMWE through devoting more efforts to the key materials.

Published in Nano Research Energy

ISSN: 2791-0091 (Print); 2790-8119 (Online)
Publisher: Tsinghua University Press
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry; Science: Physics
Website: https://www.sciopen.com/journal/2791-0091

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