The development of the PEM electrolyzer catalyst industry is accelerating, and foreign-funded enterprises occupy a dominant position in my country’s market

PEM electrolyzer catalyst, also known as PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production catalyst, is called proton exchange membrane electrolyzer catalyst. It refers to a catalyst that can accelerate the electrochemical reaction of the electrolyzer and reduce the overpotential during the electrolysis process. The PEM electrolyzer catalyst needs to be able to withstand high/low temperatures, reduce the occurrence of side reactions, and be recyclable. It is an important part of the PEM electrolyzer.

PEM electrolyzer catalysts are usually based on iridium-based (Ir) catalysts and platinum-based (Pt) catalysts. Iridium-based catalysts are used in the anode of PEM electrolyzers to complete the oxygen evolution reaction; platinum-based catalysts are used in the cathodes of PEM electrolyzers to complete the hydrogen evolution reaction. Iridium-based catalysts mainly include iridium oxide catalysts, iridium carbon catalysts, etc., which can effectively improve the electrolysis durability and electrocatalytic activity of the anode; platinum-based catalysts include platinum carbon catalysts, platinum palladium catalysts, etc., which can greatly increase the water decomposition speed. Platinum carbon The catalyst is a representative product of platinum-based catalysts and has been commercially applied.

In recent years, attracted by market prospects, my country’s enthusiasm for research and development of PEM electrolyzer catalysts has continued to rise, and many new developments have been made. In June 2023, Liu Bilu’s team from the Shenzhen International Graduate School of Tsinghua University successfully produced a self-anchored oxygen evolution catalyst based on the electrochemical oxidation reconstruction method and in-situ growth method. The product is based on porous chromium dioxide (porous CrO2) and It is made from iridium dioxide (IrO2) as the base material. Compared with traditional iridium-based catalysts, its stability and activity have been further improved, and it will be widely used in proton exchange membrane electrolyzers in the future.

PEM electrolyzer is the end product of PEM electrolyzer catalyst, which is widely used in many fields such as water treatment, fuel cell power generation, hydrogen production, and electrolytic processing. In recent years, as my country’s demand for hydrogen continues to grow, the development of the PEM electrolyzer catalyst industry has continued to accelerate. According to the “2023-2028 China PEM Electrolyzer Catalyst Industry Market In-depth Research and Development Prospects Forecast Report released by the Industrial Research Center , my country’s PEM electrolyzer catalyst market size will reach 19.85 billion yuan in 2022, setting a record high.

The PEM electrolyzer catalyst industry has high technical barriers, and there are only a small number of companies with production capabilities in my country, mainly including Hydrogen Zhongke, Kaili New Materials, etc. At present, foreign-funded enterprises occupy the dominant position in my country’s PEM electrolyzer catalyst market, mainly including Umicore Scientific Materials (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Johnson Matthey (Shanghai) Chemical Co., Ltd., Tanaka Precious Metals (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., etc. The above three companies occupy the market Nearly 90% share.

Industry analysts said that as the core component of PEM electrolyzers, PEM electrolyzer catalysts have strong application demand and the industry development prospects continue to improve. . In recent years, my country’s enthusiasm for research and development of PEM electrolyzer catalysts has continued to rise, and many new developments have been made. It is expected that in the future, with the further improvement of industry prosperity, the number of participants in my country’s PEM electrolyzer catalyst market will increase.