Ti-Doped SnO2 Supports IrO2 Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) in PEM Water Electrolysis

The development of polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis of water is mainly limited by the high cost of noble metals and inadequate stability owing to the slow reaction kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction and the restrictions of strongly acidic operating environments. To improve the utilization of noble metals, we use Ti-doped SnO2 as a carrier to support active species IrO2. The results show that the introduction of Ti element can inhibit the grain growth and help to improve the electrical conductivity of SnO2. Electrochemical tests for the catalysts show that 40 wt % IrO2/TSO has the best mass-normalized charge (231.24 C g–1 IrO2) and current density (714.85 A g–1 IrO2) at 1.6 V with the overpotential of only 271 mV at 10 mA cm–2, which is attributed to the outstanding dispersion effect of Ti-doped SnO2 and the synergy between the active species and the introduction of Ti element. The comprehensive advantages exhibited by the Ti-doped SnO2 support provide an alternative solution to reduce the cost of noble metal catalysts by improving the catalytic activity and stability.