Now, Shannon Boettcher and colleagues take inspiration from the solid electrolyte interphase in lithium-ion batteries, introducing an innovative inorganic–organic composite ‘protective layer’ at the anode ionomer–catalyst interface. This interphase-engineering strategy enables a pure-water-fed AEMWE to achieve a remarkable more than 20-fold enhancement in durability compared with conventional ionomer-based electrodes.
Specifically, metal alkoxides, such as zirconium propoxide (Zr(OPr)4), are incorporated as inorganic additives and blended into the ionomer matrix. Upon partial hydrolysis, advanced spectroscopic analyses reveal the emergence of coordination bonds between Zr4+ and carbonate counterions, alongside crosslinking between metal oxo/hydroxo oligomers and ionomers, culminating in the formation of a robust ZrOx–ionomer hybrid interphase. Moreover, integrated advanced imaging and AEMWE testing confirm that these hybrid interphases are porous, well hydrated and selectively permeable to hydroxide ions, preserving mechanical integrity while effectively shielding the ionomer from oxidative degradation. Impressively, this interphase-engineering approach consistently boosts AEMWE durability across a spectrum of anode catalysts, spanning commercial Co3O4 and IrOx powders to electrodeposited and hydrothermally synthesized cobalt hydroxide.
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