Stabilizing the catalyst layer for durable and high performance alkaline membrane fuel cells and water electrolyzers

Abstract

Anion exchange membrane (AEM) fuel cells (AEMFCs) and water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) suffer from insufficient performance and durability compared with commercialized energy conversion systems. Great efforts have been devoted to designing high-quality AEM and catalysts. However, the significance of the stability of the catalyst layer has been largely disregarded. Here, an in-situ crosslinking strategy was developed to promote the interaction of catalyst layer and the interaction between catalyst layer and AEM. The adhesion strength of the catalyst layer after crosslinking was improved 7 times compared with un- crosslinked catalyst layer due to the formation of covalent bonds between the catalyst layer and AEM. The AEMFC can be operated under 0.6 A cm- 2 for 1000 h with a voltage decay rate of 20 μV h-1. The related AEMWE achieved an unprecedented current density of 15.17 A cm−2@2.0 V, and it can be operated at 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 A cm-2 for 1000 h.