Novel nickel electrodes for more efficient AEM electrolysis

The performance improvement of the electrodes is based in particular on two central process steps:

• Targeted integration of non-metallic elements such as sulphur and phosphorus into the nickel-based catalyst layers
• Creation of defined nanostructures to increase the active surface area

The results show that the combination of nickel and sulphur creates a highly active and corrosion-stable surface for oxygen evolution. Electrochemical deposition enables precise control of the composition and morphology of the catalyst layers. At the same time, the process is scalable and therefore suitable for industrial applications.

‘We transfer promising materials into practical electrolysis applications and test their performance and stability under realistic operating conditions,’ explains Miriam Hesse, doctoral student at ZBT and co-author of the publication. ‘This study has brought us a big step forward.’

Special thanks go to co-authors Mila Manolova (fem), Jonas Lieb (fem), Ivan Radev (ZBT), Dr Şeniz Sörgel (fem), Prof. Dr Holger Kaßner (fem), Thomas Ernst Müller (Ruhr University Bochum) and Prof. Dr Ulf-Peter Apfel (Ruhr University Bochum).

Funding information: Funded by the Industrial Collective Research (IGF). We would like to express our sincere thanks for the support!