Enhancing Heterointerface Coupling for Durable Industrial-Level Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) requires high current density for industrial applications, posing challenges for catalyst performance.
• Heterointerface engineering is crucial for improving anodic activity, but maintaining catalyst stability at fragile interfaces remains difficult.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a stable and highly active heterostructured catalyst for PEMWE.
• To investigate the role of a strong-coupled interface in enhancing catalyst performance and durability.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a ternary heterostructured catalyst: RuIrOₓ-CeO₂.
• Characterization of the catalyst's interface properties, including electronic and oxygen interactions.
• Testing the catalyst's performance in PEMWE under high current densities and long-term operation.

Main Results:

• The RuIrOₓ-CeO₂ catalyst exhibits a strong-coupled interface that inhibits active phase separation.
• Achieved a current density of 3.0 A cm⁻² at 1.75 V in PEMWE.
• Demonstrated stable 2000-hour operation at 5.0 A cm⁻² with minimal voltage degradation (<1 µV h⁻¹).

Conclusions:

• The strong-coupled interface in RuIrOₓ-CeO₂ is key to its high activity and stability in PEMWE.
• This catalyst design offers a promising pathway for efficient industrial-level water electrolysis.