Mechanism-Informed Breakdown: Understanding Degradation by Controlling Voltage-Hold Patterns in Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers.

ABSTRACT: Low catalyst loadings pose challenges to performance stability in proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis over extended operation. To study the impact of degradation mechanisms and voltage loss rates, different stress tests are applied to membrane electrode assemblies. Potential cycling conditions were observed to induce higher degrees of iridium (Ir) oxide crystallization, ionomer degradation, and catalyst layer (CL) thinning, which likely contributed to higher kinetic loss rates. On the other hand, while Ir migrating into the PEM (Ir band) generally impairs performance, the interconnected and more uniform Ir band formed under a constant 2 V hold may allow for Ir at the catalyst/membrane interface to remain electronically connected and kinetically accessible, as well as indicate

SUBMITTER: Chan AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12848850 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature