Energy Conversion – PEM Water Electrolysis and the Challenge of Precious Metals
28 Jun 2023
Fuel Cell Technology
Iridium catalysts represent one of the most expensive components of the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electolyzer system, adding as much as $150,000/MW in cost. In this talk, we will discuss technologies for the reduction in the use of iridum, including advanced fabrication techniques which yield higher surface area materials. Partial substitution of iridium and acid-stable support materials are alternative approaches that not only allow for maintaining cell performance at beginning of life with lower iridium loadings but extending the overall lifetime of electrolyzer systems. With declarations of hundreds of GW-scale electrolyzer deployments across the world, material savings and cost reductions are essential for decarbonization efforts to be successful.