Hydrogen from the Tap: PEM Electrolyzers Get a Boost from Brønsted Acid Oxides

PEM Electrolyzer Hydrogen Innovation

In the drive toward decarbonized energy systems, hydrogen is increasingly viewed as a cornerstone — especially green hydrogen produced through water electrolysis powered by renewable energy. Among the most efficient and clean methods for this process are Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. However, these high-tech devices have long faced a serious limitation: the need for ultrapure water. Until now.

A research team from Tianjin University and collaborators has developed a new catalyst strategy that allows PEM electrolyzers to function effectively with impure water — such as ordinary tap water — over extended periods. The work, recently published in Nature Energy, could significantly reduce operational costs and open the door for broader real-world deployment of green hydrogen systems.

The Problem: Water Purity Constraints in PEM Electrolyzers

PEM electrolyzers use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through a proton-conducting membrane. Unlike traditional alkaline electrolyzers, PEM systems produce very high-purity hydrogen and operate with compact designs suitable for distributed energy solutions. Yet, they are highly sensitive to contaminants, especially metal ions like calcium (Ca²⁺), iron (Fe³⁺), and sodium (Na⁺), which can accumulate and degrade both catalysts and membranes.

This purity requirement often necessitates complex water pretreatment systems — adding cost, complexity, and logistical hurdles to their implementation, especially in remote or developing regions.

The Solution: Acidic Microenvironments via Brønsted Acid Oxides

To overcome these limitations, the researchers engineered the catalyst layers of PEM electrolyzers by incorporating Brønsted acid oxides — specifically MoO3−x — into the platinum/carbon (Pt/C) cathodes. These oxides help create a strongly acidic microenvironment around the catalyst, which in turn improves performance, reduces membrane degradation, and suppresses the precipitation of harmful contaminants.

Using scanning electrochemical microscopy and pH ultramicroelectrodes, the team showed how the modified cathodes maintained a low local pH and facilitated long-term stable operation in the presence of ionic impurities. This localized acidity plays a crucial role in enhancing proton transport and maintaining membrane health under harsh conditions.

Reliable Hydrogen from Real-World Water Sources

In extensive lab trials, the modified PEM electrolyzers demonstrated stable operation for over 3,000 hours at a current density of 1.0 A cm⁻² using tap water, a feat previously considered impractical. The performance remained comparable to that of electrolyzers using purified water, marking a major breakthrough in the quest to make green hydrogen accessible and affordable.

By minimizing the need for deionized water and costly filtration systems, this development reduces both capital and operating costs — while enabling hydrogen production in areas where water quality might otherwise pose a barrier.

A Path Toward Decentralized Green Hydrogen

This work has important implications for the future of clean energy. The ability to run PEM electrolyzers on tap water could enable off-grid hydrogen generation for critical applications such as hospitals, data centers, transportation hubs, and disaster relief stations. It also complements efforts to integrate electrolyzers with renewable energy sources like solar and wind farms for scalable, sustainable fuel production.

Looking ahead, further optimization of catalyst materials and membrane architectures may push these systems even closer to mass-market viability — eliminating another bottleneck in the hydrogen economy.

🔗 Source: TechXplore – Turning tap water into hydrogen: New strategy lets PEM electrolyzers use impure water

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