Highly active and stable OER electrocatalysts derived from Sr2MIrO6 for proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis is a promising technology to produce green hydrogen from renewables, as it can efficiently achieve high current densities. Lowering iridium amount in oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalysts is critical for achieving cost-effective production of green hydrogen. In this work, we develop catalysts from Ir double perovskites. Sr₂CaIrO₆ achieves 10 mA cm⁻² at only 1.48 V. The surface of the perovskite reconstructs when immersed in an acidic electrolyte and during the first catalytic cycles, resulting in a stable surface conformed by short-range order edge-sharing IrO₆ octahedra arranged in an open structure responsible for the high performance. A proton exchange membrane water electrolysis cell is developed with Sr₂CaIrO₆ as anode and low Ir loading (0.4 mg_Ir cm⁻²). The cell achieves 2.40 V at 6 A cm⁻² (overload) and no loss in performance at a constant 2 A cm⁻² (nominal load). Thus, reducing Ir use without compromising efficiency and lifetime.

While water splitting offers a renewable means to produce H₂ fuel, most electrolyzers rely on scarce elements to function. Here, authors study low-content Iridium catalysts derived from mixed oxides for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis anodes without compromising activity and durability.