Electronic Structure-Engineered Proton Depletion Interfaces on Ternary RuO₂ for Ultra-Stable Kilowatt...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Sustainable Energy

Background:

• Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is vital for green hydrogen, but anode catalyst instability hinders industrial application.
• High-current operation requires durable catalysts to overcome limitations in system efficiency and longevity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a stable and efficient anode catalyst for high-current PEMWE.
• To engineer a catalyst with enhanced stability and electronic properties for oxygen evolution reactions.

Main Methods:

• Development of a ternary RuO2-based catalyst (Cr0.1Sn0.1Ru0.8O2) utilizing proton depletion interface engineering.
• Integration of electronic structure modulation within the catalyst design.
• Testing catalyst performance in PEMWE under industrial conditions, including 1000-hour stability tests.

Main Results:

• The CrSnRuO2 catalyst achieved a current density of 3.0 A/cm² at 1.77 V.
• Demonstrated low degradation for oxygen evolution over 1000 hours in PEMWE.
• A scaled-up system achieved hundred-ampere level electrolysis at kilowatt scale.

Conclusions:

• The novel anode catalyst significantly improves PEMWE efficiency and longevity for large-scale green hydrogen production.
• Techno-economic analysis indicates potential for hydrogen production costs below $1/kg H2.
• The catalyst architecture offers a reduced environmental footprint compared to conventional electrolyzer technologies.