Fig. 5: Ionomer and catalyst washout. | Communications Materials

Fig. 5: Ionomer and catalyst washout.

From: Impact of processing humidity on ionomer film structure and performance in hydroxide exchange membrane electrolyzers

Fig. 5: Ionomer and catalyst washout.

(a, b) EDX mapping demonstrating ionomer washout. The ionomer is represented by purple dots and the samples are two anodes [nickel felt with a self-supported catalyst layer and 1.25-µm thick dip-coated ionomer film (Supplementary Fig. 9)] at their EoL (a break-in procedure and 3 polarization curves—roughly 4.5 h total). Sample a is the 9% RH-dried anode, b is 94% RH. c–f Images of catalyst washout at EoL using a spray catalyst/ionomer slurry at the anode (as opposed to a self-supported catalyst with a dip-coated ionomer layer). The containers are holding effluent from the reservoir tank that feeds water into the anode inlet and receives water from the anode outlet. Image (c), (d), (e), and (f) represent 0%, 9%, 40%, and 94% RH, respectively.

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