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Anode catalyst layer design for anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers
Volk, Emily K.
Volk, Emily K.
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2025
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Volk_mines_0052E_13065.pdf
Adobe PDF, 49.95 MB
- Embargoed until 2026-11-11
Volk_mines_0052E_316/Thesis_Permissions (2).pdf
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- Embargoed until 2026-11-11
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2026-11-11
Abstract
Hydrogen production through water electrolysis enables the efficient conversion of low-cost, renewable electrons into stored chemical energy, addressing the curtailment of variable renewable energy sources (VREs) such as wind and solar while offering a promising long-term energy storage solution. This process provides green alternatives for carbon-intensive sectors, including transportation; steel, cement, ammonia production; and chemical synthesis, thereby facilitating the transition from fossil fuels to VREs. However, barriers to the widespread adoption of water electrolysis include the high costs and limited availability of materials in state-of-the-art Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers (PEMWEs), as well as the low efficiency and intermittent operation limitations of commercial Liquid Alkaline Water Electrolyzers (LAWEs). Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers (AEMWEs) present a promising solution by enabling high-current-density, intermittent operation with the use of earth-abundant, non-platinum group metal (PGM) materials, offering a sustainable alternative for green hydrogen production. This thesis addresses key challenges in advancing AEMWE technology by combining fundamental and applied catalysis techniques. First, various candidates for the alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are screened, and different methods for normalizing activity are explored. The thesis then investigates the evolution of catalyst materials under AEMWE operating conditions (e.g., high voltage and alkaline pH) to understand how these materials can be activated for optimal performance. These insights are then applied at the device level, where the integration of catalysts with the ionomer phase is studied in terms of their interactions, integration, and degradation. Finally, the origins of catalyst layer resistance are examined and a novel method for voltage breakdown analysis in AEMWEs is proposed.
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