Platinum-Iridium (Pt-Ir, Premetek) Alloy on Carbon Black as Electrocatalysts for Electrolyzer and Fuel Cell, 0.5 g/bottle, CEFCEPtIrC
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Platinum-Iridium (Pt-Ir) electrocatalysts are the "bifunctional powerhouse" of the electrochemical world. While other alloys are optimized for one specific task, Pt-Ir is uniquely designed to handle both power generation and gas production, making it the essential material for Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cells (URFCs).
The most critical application for Pt-Ir is in URFCs—devices that can act as both an electrolyzer (storing energy as H2) and a fuel cell (producing electricity) in a single stack. (1) Fuel Cell Mode (ORR): Platinum is the primary driver for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction. Adding Iridium helps stabilize the Platinum against oxidation and dissolution during the high-voltage shifts that occur when switching modes. (2) Electrolyzer Mode (OER): Platinum alone is a poor catalyst for splitting water at the anode. Iridium (specifically IrOx formed on the surface) is the most stable and active catalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) in acidic media. (3) Round-Trip Efficiency: Pt-Ir alloys exhibit the best "round-trip" efficiency compared to Pt-Ru or Pt-Ni because they maintain high activity for both the 4-electron reduction and the 4-electron evolution of oxygen.
In dedicated PEM water electrolyzers, Pt-Ir is often used to solve durability problems: (1) Cathode (HER): While Pt/C is standard, Pt-Ir is sometimes used to enhance electrical conductivity and prevent catalyst agglomeration over long-term high-pressure operation. (2) Recombination Catalyst: Pt-Ir can act as a recombination catalyst within the membrane to safely combine any "crossover" H2 and O2 gases back into water, preventing explosive mixtures from forming in the exhaust. (3) Ti-PTL Protection: Pt-Ir is frequently coated onto the Titanium Porous Transport Layers (PTL) to prevent the titanium from forming a non-conductive oxide layer (passivation) under the high oxidative potentials of the anode.
| Part Number |
CEFCEPtIr13C20 |
CEFCEPtIr11C20 |
CEFCEPtIr31C20 |
| Platinum-Iridium Content |
20 wt% Pt-Ir (1:3 ratio) (5.1 wt% Pt, 14.9 wt% Ir), 80 wt% carbon black (Vulcan XC-72) |
20 wt% Pt-Ir (1:1 ratio) (10.1 wt% Pt, 9.9 wt% Ir), 80 wt% carbon black (Vulcan XC-72) |
20 wt% Pt-Ir (3:1 ratio) (15.1 wt% Pt, 4.9 wt% Ir), 80 wt% carbon black (Vulcan XC-72) |
| Metal Surface Area |
~100 m2/g |
~120 m2/g |
~100 m2/g |
| Catalyst BET Surface Area: |
~200 m2/g |
~200 m2/g |
~200 m2/g |
| Metal Crystallite Size |
2-4 nm |
1-3 nm |
2-4 nm |
| Catalyst granule size D(100) |
≤ 75 µm |
≤ 75 µm |
≤ 75 µm |
| Impurities |
≤ 500 ppm |
≤ 500 ppm |
≤ 500 ppm |
| Package Size | 0.5 g/bottle | 0.5 g/bottle | 0.5 g/bottle |
Notes: Please try to store the Pt-Ir/C powder in a dry place.
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