Influence of iridium oxide loadings on the performance of PEM water electrolysis cells: Part I-Pure IrO2-based anodes

The influence of iridium oxide loadings at the anode of PEM water electrolysis cells on the overall electrochemical performance was studied using cyclic voltamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and by measuring polarization curves at 80 degrees C. Membrane electrode assemblies with reduced metal loadings (0.25 mg cm(-2) of Pt at the cathode and 0.5 mg cm(-2) of IrO2 at the anode) were prepared using the decal method. A typical cell voltage of 1.72V was recorded using a 25 cm(2) cell with a Nafion (R) 115 membrane at a current density of 1 A cm(-2) (at 80 degrees C and atmospheric pressure). Performances measured with such reduced noble metal loadings are similar to those obtained with conventional loadings of several mg cm(-2). (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.