Kinetic Insights of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer Obtained by Operando Characterization Methods

Benefiting from the merits of short response time, high current density, and differential pressure, the proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) is attracting increasing attention from both academic and industry researchers. A limiting factor that impedes the widespread application of the PEMWE is its reliance on the rarest elements, such as iridium and platinum. In order to optimize the device performance as well as to reduce the usage of rare elements, it is important but difficult to directly observe the reaction within the electrolyzer under working conditions. Thus, operando characterization methods are urgently needed to probe in real time the water electrolysis process during operation. In this perspective, we highlight the important role and summarize the recent advances of operando characterization methods in obtaining kinetic insights about PEMWEs. Based on the demands of kinetic optimization, an outlook of future characterization methods is given at the end.