Nanostructured (Ir,Sn)O-2:F - Oxygen Evolution Reaction Anode Electro-Catalyst Powders For Pem Based Water Electrolysis

Nanostructured powder catalysts comprising solid solutions of F doped SnO2 and IrO2 of different compositions were synthesized by a simple two step approach. High surface area SnO2:F was prepared initially using CTAB as a surfactant. (Ir,Sn)O-2:F was then synthesized by forming a solid state solution with IrCl4 and SnO2:F followed by heat-treatment in air at 400 degrees C. The catalyst was then coated onto a porous Ti foil and has been studied as a promising anode electro-catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in PEM based water electrolysis. The optimal composition of (Ir0.3Sn0.7)O-2:10 wt% F displayed electrochemical activity comparable to the commercially available pure IrO2 demonstrating similar to 70 mol% reduction in noble metal content. The electrochemical stability tests also showed that (Ir,Sn)O-2:F solid solution exhibits much better durability compared to commercial IrO2, the standard (OER) catalyst. (C) 2014 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.