SOLID POLYMER ELECTROLYTE WATER ELECTROLYSIS - ELECTROCATALYSIS AND LONG-TERM STABILITY

In order to enhance the performance and long-term stability of a water electrolysis pilot plant, IrO2/Ti electrodes were hot-pressed on both sides of a Nafion(R) membrane and tested. By comparison with Pt electrodes, we obtained much lower anodic overvoltages and a better long-term stability of the cell voltage due to a lower cathode sensitivity to poisoning. Purification of water using ion-exchange resins was also useful to prevent a poisoning of the membrane itself. In purified water, assemblies using Pt cathodes and IrO2 anodes were found to be a good compromise between performance and stability.