Systems and methods for water electrolysis with electrodes having transition metal-phosphorous-based compounds

A system for water electrolysis, the system comprising:

• an ion exchange membrane, wherein the ion exchange membrane is a proton exchange membrane;
• a first electrode catalyst layer on a first side of the ion exchange membrane, wherein the first electrode catalyst layer comprises a transition metal-phosphorus-based compound electroplated to the first side of the ion exchange membrane, wherein the first electrode catalyst layer is an anode catalyst layer and the transition metal-phosphorus-based compound is a cobalt-phosphorus-based compound;
• a second electrode catalyst layer on a second side of the ion exchange membrane opposite the first side, wherein the second electrode catalyst layer is a cathode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer comprises a cobalt-based compound on the second side of the ion exchange membrane;
• an anode-side porous transport layer adjacent the anode catalyst layer and a cathode-side porous transport layer adjacent the cathode catalyst layer, wherein each of the anode-side porous transport layer and the cathode-side porous transport layer comprising a metallic wire mesh, and wherein at least the metallic wire mesh of the anode-side porous transport layer is coated with a cobalt-based alloy;
• and
• an anode-side bipolar plate adjacent the anode-side porous transport layer and a cathode-side bipolar plate adjacent the cathode-side porous transport layer, wherein at least the anode-side bipolar plate includes a plate coated with the cobalt-based alloy.