| Abstract Scope |
In this study, we developed a highly durable and efficient cobalt oxide anode for commercial-scale anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) systems. The anode was fabricated using a simplified one-step hot-pressing process with a single cobalt component, which minimized process steps and avoided the complex synthesis of multicomponent materials. This process facilitated both the oxidation of cobalt hydroxide and the formation of the catalyst layer, optimizing the hot-pressing temperature. The optimized cobalt oxide electrode (at 250 °C) demonstrated a uniform catalytic layer and high active site density for electrochemical reactions. The commercial-scale AEMWE, utilizing this anode, demonstrated outstanding long-term stability, achieving 79.46% hydrogen production efficiency over 1,000 hours at 50°C in 0.1 M KOH, coupled with a minimal degradation rate of 2 mV h⁻¹, which is significantly lower than previously reported results. Our process effectively transitions from laboratory to commercial scale, reducing processing time and setting new durability standards. |