ECS Transactions · 2018 · 40 citations · 0 references
EngineeringChemical EngineeringElectrical EngineeringElectrochemical EngineeringElectrochemistrySurface EngineeringElectrochemical CellsElectrochemical Energy ConversionElectrochemical Energy StorageElectrode KineticsElectrolysis ProcessesElectrolytic CellsDegradationElectrochemical DurabilityElectrode DegradationElectrode Degradation MechanismsMembrane DegradationProton Exchange Membrane ElectrolysisProton Exchange MembranesWater Electrolysis
Hydrogen is expected to play an important role as a crosslinking technology between power generation, transport and industry. It can substitute fossil fuels when generated by water electrolysis using electricity from renewables energies such as solar or wind. Proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEMEL) technology is very suitable for this purpose due to its flexibility low footprint and wide range of operation. However, questions about degradation mechanisms during overload (high current densities) remain. This work presents a preliminary study on the short-term degradation effects of operating laboratory PEMEL cells at current densities up to 4.5 A cm-2. The resulting high cell voltages (up to 3.75 V) produce an increase of cell Ohmic resistance of about 10 mΩ cm-2. This degradation effect is irreversible and can be associated to the formation of poorly conductive oxides at the interface between the titanium current collector and anode catalyst layer.