(Invited) Comparing and Contrasting the Advantages and Challenges of Catalysts for Low Temperature AEM, AEL, and PEM Electrolysis
Authors: Padgett Elliot , Badgett Alex , Brauch Joe , Kreider Melissa E , Volk Emily K. , Alia Shaun M , Shviro Meital , Pivovar Bryan S. 
Published: August 2024

Electrolysis has been promoted as a critical route to enabling green hydrogen and a broader US Department of Energy supported H2@Scale vision enabling a clean, economic and sustainable energy system.1 Low temperature electrolysis offers advantages over high temperature electrolysis in high temperature materials challenges, limited intermittency capabilities, thermal integration, lower manufacturing and technology readiness, steam conversion and separation challenges.2 Within low temperature electrolysis anion exchange membrane (AEM), (liquid) alkaline (AEL) and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis are the three primary electrolysis technologies being investigated.

These electrolysis environments are different and the catalyst materials they employ, and the cost, natural abundance, performance, and durability limitations are all different. These factors have a significant impact on the research focus and needs for each of these competing technologies. This presentation will explore catalysis in each one of these systems and compare critical limitations of each.

The PEM system depends on Ir for anode (OER) catalysis. Ir is expensive and one of the least abundant elements in the earth’s crust. While earth abundance of Ir may is a potential concern for projections of electrolysis needs,3,4 the ability to thrift Ir more efficiently and achieve improved durability are critical for achieving hydrogen cost targets. Specific features impacting the cost, performance and durability trade-offs of Ir in PEM electrolysis will be discussed in terms of hydrogen levelized costs and the research advances necessary to have a positive impact on PEM electrolyzers.

AEM and AEL electrolysis are distinct in terms of the concentration of supporting (KOH) electrolytes being investigated and the types of electrodes typically employed. AEM electrolyzers typically work at 1M KOH concentrations or below and employ thin film electrodes with alkaline ionomer as a parallel to most PEM designs. AEL electrolyzers typically operate at high (30 wt% KOH) concentrations and consist of electrodes deposited onto metal substrates rather than deposited as a thin film onto the membrane/separator. The materials sets and some of the performance and durability challenges of each of these systems are similar. They also have challenges at both the anode and cathode, where as PEM cathodes operate highly efficiently and durably with low loadings of Pt. The primary advantage of alkaline systems is the ability to enable highly earth abundant electrocatalysis, but challenges remain for performance and durability tradeoffs. These aspects as well as their implications for hydrogen levelized cost will be presented along with target research needs.

https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/h2scale.

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