The electrochemical decomposition of water is a promising technology for the provision of hydrogen as an energy carrier using electrical energy from renewable sources. However, the reaction process has its pitfalls. The first lecture provides an overview of the basics of electrolysis and the different types of electrolyzers. It also highlights the opportunities and challenges for electroplating technology.
Product and process innovations are needed to introduce fuel cell technology on a large scale. The central aim of the AluBiPEM research project presented in another lecture is the use of aluminum as a substrate material for the key component bipolar plate (BPP).
Producing electrolysers at low cost
In order to meet the predicted demand for hydrogen, it is necessary to produce more electrolysers. A promising strategy for the cost-effective production of the metallic components of a stack is functionalization with electroplated protective layers. As part of the StacIE project ("Stack scale-up - industrialization of PEM electrolysis"), coating systems for bipolar plates and porous transport layers are being researched and tested under real conditions in an electrolyser stack.
Reducing the iridium content
The research project "IREKA - Iridium-reduced anode catalysts for PEM water electrolysis" aims to produce catalyst materials and layers with the lowest possible iridium content. The results show that galvanic processes are particularly suitable for the economical use of materials. The BMBF-funded AEM-Direkt project as part of the H2Giga lead project is investigating direct coatings on anion exchange membranes for efficient water electrolysis. The lecture presents the electroless deposition of catalytically active nickel coatings and discusses the results of stability and performance tests.
Bath maintenance without the need for chemicals
The coating approach for anode side components presented in the following lecture includes the porous transport layer (PTL) as an essential component in an electrolytic cell to ensure mass transport and electron conduction. He presents different deposition technologies of platinum on porous titanium substrates. The last lecture presents a new recovery process for an iron pickle. In addition, a possible overall process for future bath maintenance of metal pickles without the need for chemicals and with minimal waste water is presented.