Supported Nanostructured Ir and IrRu Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution in PEM Electrolysers

With a modified polyol method, Ir and IrRu was deposited on Sb-doped SnO2 nanoparticles functioning as a support material for the anode catalysts for poylmer electrolyte water electrolysers. Nanostructured iridium particles (2-3 nm) were deposited onto the ATO particles, characterized with XRD, TEM and XPS. The Ir/ATO particles showed a higher surface area and catalytic activity for the oxygen evolution than unsupported Ir black. A PEM water electrolyser single cell with 4 mg 20 wt% Ir/ATO cm-2 achieved 1.65 V at 1 A cm-2 at 80 °C. After operation at 1 A cm-2 for 100h, an increase of the iR-corrected cell voltage with 50 mV was observed.