TY - JOUR
T1 - Aging Gracefully? Investigating Iridium Oxide Ink's Impact on Microstructure, Catalyst/Ionomer Interface, and PEMWE Performance
T2 - Article No. 233503
AU - Lyu, Xiang
AU - Foster, Jayson
AU - Rice, Robin
AU - Padgett, Elliot
AU - Creel, Erin
AU - Li, Jianlin
AU - Yu, Haoran
AU - Cullen, David
AU - Kariuki, Nancy
AU - Park, Jae
AU - Myers, Deborah
AU - Mauger, Scott
AU - Bender, Guido
AU - Pylypenko, Svitlana
AU - Serov, Alexey
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - In this study, we conducted a thorough investigation of the impact of aging iridium oxide (IrO2) perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer ink for up to 14 days on the properties of the ink and the resulting catalyst layers. We examined ink properties, such as zeta potential, dynamic light scattering (DLS), density, surface tension, and rheology, as functions of ink aging time. To evaluate the microstructure and catalyst/ionomer interface, we employed transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray scattering, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. Furthermore, we assessed the effect of ink aging on the performance of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs). Our findings reveal that most ink properties remain stable for 14 days. The variations in PEMWE cell performance are minimal, and no clear trend is observed in relation to ink aging time. This study demonstrates that the effects of aging the inks for 14 days on ink properties, catalyst layer structure, catalyst/ionomer interface, and PEMWE performance are negligible, indicating a substantial time window after ink preparation without any significant changes in its properties. These insights provide crucial guidance for the commercial production and coating processes of ink, which is necessary for scaling up PEM technologies to meet future demand.
AB - In this study, we conducted a thorough investigation of the impact of aging iridium oxide (IrO2) perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer ink for up to 14 days on the properties of the ink and the resulting catalyst layers. We examined ink properties, such as zeta potential, dynamic light scattering (DLS), density, surface tension, and rheology, as functions of ink aging time. To evaluate the microstructure and catalyst/ionomer interface, we employed transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray scattering, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. Furthermore, we assessed the effect of ink aging on the performance of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs). Our findings reveal that most ink properties remain stable for 14 days. The variations in PEMWE cell performance are minimal, and no clear trend is observed in relation to ink aging time. This study demonstrates that the effects of aging the inks for 14 days on ink properties, catalyst layer structure, catalyst/ionomer interface, and PEMWE performance are negligible, indicating a substantial time window after ink preparation without any significant changes in its properties. These insights provide crucial guidance for the commercial production and coating processes of ink, which is necessary for scaling up PEM technologies to meet future demand.
KW - aging effect
KW - iridium oxide
KW - microstructure and interface of catalyst/ionomer
KW - PEMEC
KW - PEMWE
KW - XPS
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85168626198&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2023.233503
DO - 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2023.233503
M3 - Article
SN - 0378-7753
VL - 581
JO - Journal of Power Sources
JF - Journal of Power Sources
ER -