Automated Testing Platform for High-Throughput Electrochemical Catalyst Characterization

One of the main bottlenecks in conventional combinatorial electrochemical catalyst characterization methodologies is the speed at which they can be screened. Incumbent methods also suffer from significant potential for human error. Here we describe an automated electrochemical testing platform allowing for the rapid screening of electrochemical catalysts. The platform is based around a customizable flow cell, which is positionally controlled via a low-cost XYZ control platform. The flow cell electrolyte is automatically replenished through a series of pumps and interfaced with a Biologic SP-50e potentiostat for data collection. Components of the platform are coordinated and controlled with a script written in Python, where all parameters can be managed through a unified user interface. This system was successfully validated through the testing and characterization of mixed-metal oxide catalyst OER activity for seawater electrolysis.