Applications of model electrode for investigations of reaction and transport issues in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer

Abstract

Limited by the poor understanding of reaction and transport related issues in the porous transport layers and catalyst layers from the conventional electrode-based characterizations, the electrode engineering method targeting to improve the proton exchange membrane water electrolysis performance is lacking in efficiency. Model electrodes, which refer to electrochemical devices for mimicking the reaction and transport processes in practical electrolyzers, have emerged recently to provide both temporal and spatial high-precision measurement for these issues. In this review, recently proposed different model electrode configurations to investigate the transport and reaction related issues in porous transport layers and catalyst layers are summarized, followed by a perspective of future efficient electrode engineering methods based on findings with the assistance of model electrodes.