Towards selective Ir/IrO2 electrochemical dissolution of Ir-based electrocatalysts for enhanced proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer sustainability

Du J, Zlatar M, Zhang D, Escalera-López D, Quinson J, Cherevko S, Arenz M (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Journal of Power Sources Elsevier

Book Volume: 657

Article Number: 238224

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.238224

Abstract

Electrocatalysts containing Ir are commonly used in energy conversion devices such as proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs). However, the scarcity and high cost of Ir hinder their large-scale use. Therefore, there is a need for advanced Ir recycling schemes when scaling up PEMWE technology. Prior work on Pt-IrO2/C nanocomposite catalysts indicates that IrO2 has limited resistance to electrochemical degradation. Here, we built upon this observation to explore the selective dissolution of Ir/IrO2 compared to Pt, using a scanning flow cell coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SFC ICP-MS). We show that IrO2 can even be selectively dissolved using a simple two-electrode setup. These findings are not only of fundamental interest for catalyst design but also highlight a potential pathway of electrochemically induced Ir recycling and regeneration strategies.

Involved external institutions

Universität Bern CH Switzerland (CH) Forschungszentrum Jülich / Research Centre Jülich (FZJ) DE Germany (DE) University of Copenhagen DK Denmark (DK)

How to cite

APA:

Du, J., Zlatar, M., Zhang, D., Escalera-López, D., Quinson, J., Cherevko, S., & Arenz, M. (2025). Towards selective Ir/IrO2 electrochemical dissolution of Ir-based electrocatalysts for enhanced proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer sustainability. Journal of Power Sources, 657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.238224

MLA:

Du, Jia, et al. "Towards selective Ir/IrO2 electrochemical dissolution of Ir-based electrocatalysts for enhanced proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer sustainability." Journal of Power Sources 657 (2025).

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