ELECTRODE SPECIFICATION
STABILITY1000-Hour Stability, 21 uV/hr Drift
A continuous 1000-hour chronopotentiometry on our bifunctional NiCo electrode in an AEM cell at 0.5 A/cm2 and 40 deg C in 30 wt% KOH. Voltage drifted by 21 uV/hr over the full window.
STABILITY
TESTBEDThis spec
STABILITY
HER overpotential
@ 100 mA/cm² (no IR)
OER overpotential
@ 100 mA/cm² (no IR)
Cell @ 0.5 A/cm² / 60 °C
91.4% efficiency
1000-hour drift
@ 0.5 A/cm² / 40 °C
How the 1000-hour run was performed
The bifunctional NiCo electrode was placed on both sides of a 5 cm2 AEM cell with a commercial Zirfon separator (500 um) and 30 wt% KOH electrolyte in zero-gap configuration. Constant current density of 0.5 A/cm2 was applied at 40 deg C for 1000 continuous hours. Cell voltage was recorded throughout the run.
The voltage degradation rate over the 1000-hour window was 21 uV/hr. Linear-sweep polarization curves were recorded before the run and after; they differ by 30 mV at the 0.5 A/cm2 operating point.
- Test cell: 5 cm2 AEM, zero-gap, 30 wt% KOH
- Electrode: bifunctional NiCo on Ni foam, both sides
- Separator reference: commercial Zirfon (500 um)
- Current density: 0.5 A/cm2 constant
- Temperature: 40 deg C
- Duration: 1000 continuous hours
- Result: 21 uV/hr voltage drift, 30 mV before/after LSV at 0.5 A/cm2
Voltage drift
Test duration
ΔV before/after at 0.5 A/cm2
What 21 uV/hr means in practice
At 21 uV/hr drift, the cell voltage rises by approximately 21 mV per 1000 hours of operation. For stack OEMs sizing operating margins, this provides a measured drift baseline rather than a model.
The before/after linear-sweep curves overlap closely with only 30 mV difference at the operating point. This confirms the bifunctional NiCo electrode and commercial Zirfon separator held their operating envelope across 1000 hours.
How the steady-load result relates to dynamic-load behavior
The 1000-hour run was at constant current density. Separate dynamic-load runs were performed under PV-derived schedules for 9 days and wind-derived schedules for 100 hours. The 9-day solar run showed no major changes after 9 cycles. The 100-hour wind run produced ΔV = 20 mV at 0.5 A/cm2 before/after.
Together, the steady-load and dynamic-load results characterize the electrode's behavior across both operating modes typical of an electrolyzer fleet.
Where this specification matters
Industrial applications where 1000-hour stability at 21 uv/hr drift is a primary qualification metric.
Frequently asked questions
How was the 1000-hour stability test run?
Continuous chronopotentiometry at 0.5 A/cm² and 40 °C in 30 wt% KOH for 1000 hours, with our bifunctional NiCo electrode on both sides and a commercial Zirfon separator. Voltage drift over the run: 21 µV/hr. ΔV before/after LSV at 0.5 A/cm²: 30 mV.
How is 1000-hour stability at 21 uv/hr drift measured?
All published values were measured in a 5 cm² AEM cell with our bifunctional NiCo electrode on both sides, 30 wt% KOH electrolyte, zero-gap assembly, and a commercial Zirfon separator (500 µm) as the membrane reference. Overpotentials are reported without IR correction.
Can I reproduce this number on my own cell?
Yes. Bench-scale 5 cm² coupons matching the size used in our published AEM test cell are available. Reproducing the cell conditions (30 wt% KOH, zero-gap, commercial Zirfon separator, bifunctional NiCo electrode on both sides) lets a customer team confirm the published number directly.
What substrate sizes can I order?
We produce the bifunctional NiCo electrode on Ni foam in the 100 to 1000 cm² size range. Bench-scale coupons and pilot-scale electrodes both ship from this same product line. Specific sizes can be discussed for OEM stack integration.
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