Alkaline water electrolysis facilitated via non-precious monometallic catalysts combined with highly KOH doped polybenzimidazole membrane

Abstract In the present communication we report the electro catalytic performance of non-precious monometallic catalysts (Ni and Co), synthesized by sol–gel method and homogeneously dispersed on titanium sub-oxide carrier. Morphology and surface structure of the catalysts were studied. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) with anion exchange membrane (AEM), comprising para -polybenzimidazole, highly doped with potassium hydroxide, were prepared using these catalysts. The MEA electrochemical performance and catalytic activity toward the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER) are investigated in a self-designed electrolysis test cell. The results obtained show low overpotentials for both OER and HER compared to a MEA with Pt catalyst and the same membrane, as well as stable performance in the temperature range up to 80 °C. The current density reaches 0.2 A·cm −2 at cell voltage of 2.0 V.