Topography Optimized Anode Catalyst Layer of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolyzers under Effects of Gas Coverage

Currently, hydrogen serves as a globally recognized form of energy storage, providing benefits in the decentralization of energy resources and long-term storage. Recently, there has been a growing focus on green hydrogen, which is derived from renewable energy sources. One standout approach for the production of green hydrogen is the Polymer Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer (PEMWE). It exhibits remarkable performance due to its low operating temperature, rapid response to load changes, and compact design. However, a significant drawback of this technology is its cost-effectiveness, primarily because it relies on the use of iridium, a precious element, to fabricate the catalyst layer. The substantial use of this expensive material contributes to the high cost of the device. To address this cost issue, a numerical approach known as Topography Optimization (TO) has been applied. TO is employed to maximize the performance and systematically manipulate the distribution of material within the anode catalyst layer. This optimization method takes into consideration the effect of gas coverage generated by the electrochemical reactions on the active surface area. Comparing the results of the TO electrode with those of a uniform electrode, it is observed that the TO electrode performs less effectively in the low-voltage range (1.23-1.83V). However, in the high-voltage range (2.03-3.23V), the TO electrode demonstrates a remarkable performance enhancement, achieving a 3.5-fold increase compared to the homogeneous electrode. The current density achieved with this optimized structure offers significant economic advantages for this application.