Insights into Ir dynamics via operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy in zero-gap water electrolyzers (publication)

We are excited to share our recent work, "Insights into Ir dynamics via operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy in industrially relevant zero-gap water electrolyzers", published in Energy and Environmental Science. 

Understanding the dynamic behavior of electrified interfaces is critical to developing rational energy conversion devices that can generate reliable, affordable chemicals and fuels. This article describes our effort to observe and understand how electrified catalytic interfaces change under the conditions that a commerical water electrolyzer would experience (e.g., zero-gap electrochemical cell, high current density). We took advantage of the unique capabilities at SSRL at SLAC, using synchrotron-enabled operando HERFD XANES  (High Energy Resolution Fluorescence Detected X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy!) to watch the electronic structure of an IrOx catalyst change as a function of operating conditions. This work opens up new avenues for developing improved durability devices and understanding the unique chemical environment that commercially-relevant devices face.

Read the whole article here!

A special thanks to Ryan Hannagan and Thom Hersbach for leading this work, and to all of our co-authors, including Daniela Marin, Sang-Won Lee, Marwa Atwa, Isa Rios Amador, Milenia Rojas, Shannon McLaughlin, Johanna Schroder, Gaurav Kamat, Joseph Perryman, Johanna Nelson Weker, Michaela Burke Stevens, Dimosthenis Sokaras and Thomas Jaramillo for all their effort!