Implementation Of Cobalt Clathrochelates In Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolysers For Hydrogen Evolution

The purpose of this communication is to provide a review of main electrocatalysts used in PEM water electrolysis cells for both the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions, with a special emphasis on nanoscale structures including unsupported and supported nano-particles as well as substrate-adsorbed molecular compounds. Performances obtained using conventional platinum group metal electrocatalysts (platinum for the hydrogen evolution reaction and iridium dioxide for the oxygen evolution reaction) are compared to those measured on non-conventional membrane-electrode assemblies in which platinum has been replaced by cobalt-containing clathrochelates. Results on both performance and stability issues are reported. Some perspectives for enhanced performances of PEM water electrolysis cells are also discussed.