In the search of sustainable energy solutions, proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) have emerged as a promising alternative for sustainable clean hydrogen production. This study focuses on synthesis and characterization of Ruthenium (Ru)-modified iridium oxide (IrO₂) catalysts. The anode is the principal reason for the high overpotential of PEMWEs and it also greatly increases the cost of the electrolyzers. IrO₂ is highly stable and corrosion-resistant, particularly in acidic environments, making it a durable catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in PEMWEs, though it suffers from a relatively high overpotential. Ruthenium oxide (RuO₂), on the other hand, is more catalytically active with a lower overpotential, but is less stable under the same conditions. In this study, the goal was to improve the catalytic activity and stability of the anode catalyst, IrO₂, through the controlled incorporation of Ru and to reduce overall catalyst cost due to the reduced iridium content. This synergistic combination allows for better performance in terms of conductivity, efficiency, and durability, making Ru-modified IrO₂ an ideal catalyst for OER in PEMWE applications. The Adams fusion method was adapted and used to synthesize the catalysts. The modified catalysts were characterized using analytical instruments. These analyses provided insights into the structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of the Ru-modified IrO₂ catalysts.

The strong adhesion between cathode materials and aluminium (Al) foil substrates presents a significant challenge in the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LiBs). Conventionally, high temperatures and high concentrations of costly organic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethylacetamide (DMAC), dimethylformamide (DMF), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) are used to enhance ultrasonication-based delamination. In this study, a novel, eco-efficient approach was demonstrated for delaminating cathode materials from Al foil using a low-concentration organic citric-acid-assisted low-power ultrasonic treatment coupled with a gentle, low-power-per-volume mechanical mixing system at room temperature. The separation mechanism was attributed to the structure disruption, possibly swelling, of the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder using low-concentration citric acid and the cavitation effects induced by ultrasound. Key parameters influencing the delamination efficiency included the solvent type, temperature, ultrasonic power, and treatment duration. Under optimised conditions, citric acid was used as the sonication reagent, with a process temperature of 20 °C, 60 W ultrasonic power, and 80 min of ultrasonication; a delamination efficiency of approximately 92% was achieved. The recovered cathode materials exhibited low agglomeration, favouring subsequent leaching processes. This work proposes an environmentally friendly and effective method for cathode and Al foil recovery from spent LiBs, integrating manual dismantling, ultrasonic treatment, and material separation.