Journal Article

FZJ-2026-02630

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Cross-plane iridium-based filaments sap efficiency in proton exchange membrane electrolyzers

Heume, C. (Corresponding author)FZJ*RWTH* ; Karyofylli, V.FZJ* ; Javed, A.FZJ* ; Dzieciol, K.FZJ* ; Basak, S.FZJ* ; Poc, J.-P.FZJ*RWTH* ; Tasdemir, Y. ; Rutsch, Y.FZJ* ; Rein, L.FZJ* ; Wolf, N.FZJ*RWTH* ; Speer, S.FZJ*RWTH* ; Jovanovic, S.FZJ* ; Treutlein, L.FZJ* ; Borowec, J.FZJ* ; Hausen, F.FZJ*RWTH* ; Dobrenizki, L. ; Malmberg, S. ; Granwehr, J.FZJ*RWTH* ; Kungl, H.FZJ* ; Jodat, E.FZJ* ; Geskes, P. ; Karl, A.FZJ* ; Schmid, G. ; Eichel, R.-A.FZJ*RWTH*

2026
Elsevier B.V. Amsterdam

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.joule.2025.102238  doi:10.34734/FZJ-2026-02630

Abstract: Proton exchange membrane electrolysis cells (PEMECs) are key to producing green hydrogen. The success of the green hydrogen economy depends on the technical maturity and scalability of water electrolysis systems. However, achieving energy-efficient and long-term operation requires a thorough understanding of aging mechanisms. While PEMECs have been extensively studied under laboratory conditions, data derived from industrial-scale operations are scarce.Our study addresses aging in an industry-oriented PEMEC operated under realistic conditions for 5,000 h, revealing systematic parasitic current pathways from cross-plane iridium filaments within the membrane, correlated with the anode/porous transport layer (PTL) interface. Experiments and computational models confirm that these parasitic currents do not impede system operation but do reduce system efficiency. This filament formation associated with the anode/PTL interface represents a hitherto unreported source of aging within PEMECs. Our findings will help optimize PEMEC design, effectively improving system performance and lifetime on an industrial scale, thus advancing the green hydrogen economy.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Grundlagen der Elektrochemie (IET-1)
2. Bioelektronik (IBI-3)
3. Elektrochemische Verfahrenstechnik (IET-4)

Research Program(s):

1. 1231 - Electrochemistry for Hydrogen (POF4-123) (POF4-123)
2. HITEC - Helmholtz Interdisciplinary Doctoral Training in Energy and Climate Research (HITEC) (HITEC-20170406) (HITEC-20170406)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Engineering, Computing and Technology ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 30 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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