Gas crossover mitigation in PEM water electrolysis: hydrogen cross-over benchmark study of 3M's Ir-NSTF based electrolysis catalyst-coated membranes

Abstract

In this work we present some preliminary data, such as permeability (gas crossover) of oxygen and hydrogen as a function of current density and other operational variables, aimed at establishing baselines for unmitigated hydrogen crossover of 3M’s electrolyzer MEAs based on 3M’s NSTF low-PGM loading catalyst and several types of perfluoro sulfonic acid based PEM membranes, both of which are widely commercially available (such as Nafion™ membranes), and membranes made by 3M. Experimental challenges associated with ex situ and in situ gas crossover measurements will be also discussed