Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Water Electrolysis

PEM water electrolysis could become a key component in future carbon free energy systems by providing sustainable hydrogen for large scale energy storage. In PEM water electrolyzers with a solid state proton conductive membrane, water is electrochemically split into oxygen and hydrogen. To improve the economic competitiveness of PEM electrolyzers, inter alia, developments in the fields of catalyst materials and membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) are necessary.

Our interests:

  • Characterization and optimization of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) with novel catalyst and membrane materials
  • Optimization of porous transport layers
  • Identification of aging mechanisms under transient operation conditions
  • Gas permeation measurements during high pressure electrolysis

Recent Publications:

  • Preparation and Performance Evaluation of Microporous Transport Layers for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Water Electrolyzer Anodes / Ernst, M. F.; Meier, V.; Kornherr, M.; Gasteiger, H. A. / J. Electrochem. Soc., 2024, 171(7), 074511 (Open Access) – DOI
  • Current Challenges in Catalyst Development for PEM Water Electrolyzers / Bernt, M. , Hartig‐Weiß, A. , Tovini, M. F., El‐Sayed, H. A., Schramm, C. , Schröter, J. , Gebauer, C. and Gasteiger, H. A. / Chemie Ingenieur Technik, 2020, 92, 31‑39 (Open Access) - DOI
  • Analysis of Gas Permeation Phenomena in a PEM Water Electrolyzer Operated at High Pressure and High Current Density / Bernt, M. , Schröter, J. ,Möckl, M. and Gasteiger, H. A. / J. Electrochem. Soc.,  2020, 167, 124502 (Open Access) - DOI
  • Impact of Intermittent Operation on Lifetime and Performance of a PEM Water Electrolyzer / Weiß, A.; Siebel, A.; Bernt, M.; Shen, T.-H.; Tileli, V.; Gasteiger, H. A. / J. Electrochem. Soc., 2019, 166(8), F487-F497 (Open Access) - DOI