Self-healing non-precious metal oxide anode in proton exchange membrane electrolysis beyond 1,000 h stability at 2 A cm−2

Abstract

The development of non-precious metal-based anode electrocatalysts is a crucial step towards the large-scale deployment of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). However, the significant dissolution of non-precious metal materials poses a substantial challenge to their application in PEMWE. In this study, we introduce a dynamically stable anode material consisting of lanthanum-doped cobalt manganese oxide that operates under ampere-level current densities. This anode material exhibits bulk structural stability and maintains a dynamic equilibrium of active sites on its surface. The anode demonstrates sustained performance for over 200 hours at 5 amperes per square centimeter and 1200 hours at 2 amperes per square centimeter in PEMWE. Experimental and computational analyses confirm that the re-deposition of active species at the working potential is responsible for achieving dynamic stability at ampere-level current densities. This innovative concept of dynamically stable electrocatalyst expands the potential of non-precious metal oxide anodes in PEMWE, reducing reliance on the limited supply of iridium without compromising hydrogen production rates.