The effect of pretreatment and surface modification of porous transport layer (PTL) on the performance of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer

The surface properties of the anode porous transport layer (PTL) significantly impact the performance of a proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE). The pretreatment (ultrasonic cleaning and acid etching) of a pristine titanium (Ti) felt before it is used as the anode PTL and the surface structural modification of a PTL are two critical methods to improve the performance of an electrolyzer. However, the mechanisms for the pretreatment and surface modification need to be clarified. In this paper, five electrolyzers with five different-fabricated-ways anode PTLs are tested and compared based on I–V curves, EIS curves, and physical characterization techniques. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results show that the ultrasonic cleaning pretreatment of PTL can improve hydrophilicity by increasing the amount of hydroxyl. In addition, EIS results indicate the significant charge transfer resistance of electrolyzer taking pristine titanium felt as PTL. Adopting the carbon paper as a microporous layer (MPL) or treated titanium felt with acid etching can eliminate or reduce the charge transfer resistance of the electrolyzer. Finally, the mechanism of surface pretreatment and modification of PTL are disclosed to cast light on the improvement of PTLs in further study.