Mixed catalyst layers for electrolytic cells

A membrane-electrode assembly comprising:

• an anode having a catalyst layer including:
• a homogenous mixture of:
• catalyst particles configured to promote water electrolysis, the catalyst particles including iridium and having a high surface area;
• and
• corrosion-resistant, conductive nanoparticles configured to resist oxidation, to reduce packing discontinuities of the catalyst particles, and to provide an electrically conductive bridge between
• the catalyst particles;
• and
• a matrix configured to support the catalyst particles and the corrosion-resistant, conductive nanoparticles;
• a cathode;
• and
• a membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode.

An electrolytic cell comprising:

• a membrane-electrode assembly including a membrane disposed between an anode and a cathode, the anode having a catalyst layer including:
• a homogenous mixture of:
• catalyst particles configured to promote water electrolysis, the catalyst particles including iridium and having a high surface area;
• and
• corrosion-resistant, conductive nanoparticles configured to resist oxidation, to reduce packing discontinuities of the catalyst particles, and to provide an electrically conductive bridge between the catalyst particles;
• and
• a matrix configured to support the catalyst particles and the corrosion-resistant, conductive nanoparticles;
• and
• a pair of polar plates abutting opposite sides of the membrane-electrode assembly, each of the pair of polar plates being electrically coupled to a respective one of the anode and the cathode and being fluidically coupled to the respective one of the anode and the cathode.