Water electrolyzer testing laboratory

• 2x water fed LeanCat air pressed single cells with active area of 2 x 2 cm², PID controlled heating on the anode and cathode (up to 100°C)

• Water fed, LeanCat bolt-fastened short stack with active area of 5 x 5 cm² per cell, water can be optionally heated prior to entering the stack

All testing stations are equipped with a water flow control system.

Available setup for electrochemical measurements from BioLogic

• SP150e potentiostat (-10 V to 10 V) with EIS up to 1 MHz with 20 A booster unit
• SP150e potentiostat with 2x FlexP0060 booster unit (-3 V to 60 V, up to 50 A each, 100 A if interconnected) EIS limited to 10 kHz, capable of tracking the cell temperature with a K type probe

All the potentiostat are used with the ECLab software and all available techniques.

The most typical techniques for PEM-WE testing:

• Chronoamperometry
• Chronopotentiometry
• Staircase voltammetry
• Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
• Cyclic voltammetry
• Ohmic drop correction

We are able to measure the effect of different catalysts or cell components. Users are invited to bring them in various forms.

The accepted form of samples brought by user:

• Fully functional cell or short stack for overall performance testing (up to 10 kW)

• Membrane electrode assembly, ready for measurement
  • Single cell: 6 x 4 cm² membrane with 2.3 x 2.3 cm² active area in the center
  • Short stack: 8 x 8 cm² membrane with 5 x 5 cm² active area in the center
• Catalyst coated membranes without the gas and liquid diffusion electrodes
  • Single cell: 6 x 4 cm² membrane with 2.3 x 2.3 cm² active area in the center
  • Short stack: 8 x 8 cm² membrane with 5 x 5 cm² active area in the center
• Separated cell components, such as novel (liquid) gas diffusion layers
  • Single cell: piece 2.3 x 2.3 cm²
  • Short stack: piece 5 x 5 cm²
• Catalyst in the form of powder or ink. More details in the section Coating techniques.

When the user brings only a part of the membrane electrode assembly, we are able to provide the missing component/catalyst to complete the system. We are open to measure other specific components upon agreement (novel PEM/AEM membranes with our catalysts etc.). Do not hesitate to contact us.

In our HTC lab, we offer a range of techniques for coating catalysts onto substrates such as membranes, gas diffusion layers (GDLs), etc. Our methods include:

• ultrasonic spraying (using the SonoTek Exacta Coat machine)
• Mayer rod coating
• drop-coating
• hot-pressing

These techniques allow for precise control over catalyst quantity, catalytic surface area, and catalyst distribution. The selection of the most suitable technique depends on factors such as your specific catalyst requirements, desired coating characteristics, amount of catalysts, the properties of the membranes, ionomers and catalyst materials used.