Scientific Achievement

  • Researchers in the Center for Ionomer-based Water Electrolysis determined that ionomer-interfaces in water electrolyzers are complex and this perspective provides insight into the importance of studying them, physically and digitally

Significance and Impact

  • Explores new techniques and strategies to systematically interrogate interfacial phenomena in ionomer-based water electrolyzers through a novel research paradigm of synergistic, conjoined experimental and theoretical research

Research Details

  • Catalyst/ionomer interfaces are complex and not fully understood, but through investigating different interfaces and utilizing digital and physical twins, we can elucidate key and controlling mechanisms
  • Studying the time and length scales of interfacial changes can be a powerful tool to explore reaction mechanisms and changes in electrolyzer operation and durability
    Publication Details

J. C. Fornaciari, S. Boettcher, E. Crumlin, A. Kusoglu, D. Prendergast, D. Ushizima, I. Zenyuk, A. Z. Weber, Springer Nature (2025).

DOI:10.1557/s43581-024-00099-x

Work was performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.