Innovative membrane electrode assemblies for PEM water electrolysis coupled to renewable energies – AITOILES

The AITOILES project is composed of five partners specialized in hydrogen production by proton exchange membrane water electrolysis. Main objective of this project is to evaluate and develop new components or processes of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) used in PEM water electrolysis to increase energetic efficiency of hydrogen production and to reduce costs. A possibility to decrease components costs is to reduce noble metals loadings in electrocatalytic layers.
A first approach in the project will consist to develop electrocatalysts with insertions of elements less active in oxygen evolution reaction but less expensive. Two different synthesis methods (Pechini Adams and “Instant method”) will be used in the project.
A second approach will be dedicated to development of non conventional catalysts. Ruthenium or iron hydrogenase based molecular compounds will be evaluated as catalysts in oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction respectively.
An other objective of this project will be to increase purity of gas produced. Alternative membranes will be developed to replace conventional electrolyte polymer like Nafion® membranes. The project foresees the development of nano composite membranes charged with lamellar clays and phosphonated or sulfo-phosphonated hybrid fillers.
All the innovative components will be integrated in the fabrication of membrane electrode assemblies. Inks of catalysts will be prepared and deposited on the membrane by several processes (spray technique, screen printing etc.) to form electrodes for reaction. Development of MEA of the project will be helped by the strong technological knowledge of partners.
Innovative MEA with high electrical performances and low costs will be fabricated and characterized in PEM water electrolysis tests. Several possibilities to reduce gas permeation through membrane will also be studied in this project. Catalytic recombination systems would be evaluated to increase gas purity.
MEA tests will be performed in single cell. Protocols will be defined precisely during the project and will be representative of renewable energies sources to simulate applications of coupling electrolysers with solar or wind technologies. Besides, the feasibility of high surface MEA will be demonstrated and high surface single cell electrolysis tests will be performed to show the possibility of up scaling of components and processes. This point could be critical for the long term viability of PEM water electrolysis technology in the energy market. Moreover, lifetime tests (>1000h) will be performed in this project to study the stability and the degradation of the components in different test conditions. Consequently, mechanical tests of membranes, studies of catalysts stabilities or studies of influence of water purity on electrical performances could be envisaged during this three year project.