Highly stable RuO2/SnO2 nanocomposites as anode electrocatalysts in a PEM water electrolysis cell

Abstract

This work explores the opportunity to reduce the cost and enhance the stability of RuO2 as an oxygen evolution reaction catalyst by coating RuO2 on chemically stable SnO2 support. Nano-sized RuO2/SnO2 composites of different mass ratios of RuO2 to SnO2 (0.45:1, 0.67:1, and 1.07:1) were synthesized using solution-based hydrothermal method. The physicochemical properties of the RuO2/SnO2 were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. The electrochemical activity of RuO2/SnO2 as anode electrocatalyst was investigated in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis cell of Pt/C cathode and Nafion membrane. Experimental results showed that RuO2/SnO2 of ratio (1.07:1) exhibit higher electrochemical activity compared to pure RuO2, resulting -50% reduction of noble metal content. The extended life test of electrocatalysts for 240 h implied that RuO2/SnO2 (1.07:1) significantly improved the stability of electrode in comparison to pure RuO2 in oxygen evolution processes. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.