SME FunMat II: Alloyed nanoparticles for PEM electrolysis

Purpose and goal

This is an SME-project within the frames of the Competence centre FunMat II. PEM electrolysis for the production of green hydrogen, today requires unsustainable amounts of catalytic noble metals. Ionautics´ solution is to design the electrodes in the electrolysis cells at the nano level with a sputtering technique. With the technique, the noble metal atoms can be placed selectively where they can effectively participate in the electrolysis process - e.g. on the surface of nanoparticles or in diluted alloys. The project aims to investigate and develop the catalytic properties of the electrode material as a function of oxidation state and metal composition.

Expected effects and result

The project works with a building block to enable the production of completely green hydrogen. The solution contributes to making green hydrogen production economically competitive.

Planned approach and implementation

The translation of the Swedish text into English is: The project contains the following activities: Ir-Ru/HEA (high entropy alloys containing TiTaZrNb) particles with varying Ir-Ru content will be manufactured with Ionautics´ sputtering method. The materials will be characterized with advanced analysis techniques using LiU. The catalytic activity of the particles for OER* will be studied in three-electrode setups and in electrolyzers. Cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy will be used to study the reaction kinetics and the rate-determining reaction steps.