Catalyst–Membrane Interfaces in Alkaline Electrochemical Devices

Membrane-based alkaline electrochemical devices, particularly anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolyzers and fuel cells, are attracting increasing attention as promising technologies for sustainable hydrogen production and energy conversion. Their potential to operate with earth-abundant catalysts and reduced reliance on platinum-group metals could support more cost-effective and resource-efficient energy systems. However, device performance is governed not only by the properties of individual catalysts, membranes, and ionomers, but also by their interactions within the catalyst–membrane interface. This region controls charge transfer, hydroxide-ion and water transport, local chemical environments, and the evolution of electrochemical reactions. Despite significant progress in catalyst development and AEM chemistry, interfacial degradation, inhomogeneous ionomer distribution, insufficient understanding of morphology–transport relationships, and limited long-term stability continue to hinder device performance and scale-up. Operando characterization, advanced imaging, and multiscale modelling are providing new insights into interfacial structure and dynamics, yet important gaps remain in connecting molecular- and nanoscale phenomena with membrane-electrode assembly behaviour and device-level degradation. Further investigation is therefore needed to establish design principles for durable and efficient alkaline electrochemical systems.This Research Topic aims to advance the mechanistic understanding and engineering of catalyst–membrane interfaces in alkaline electrochemical devices. It will bring together fundamental and applied studies examining how catalyst composition and morphology, ionomer distribution, membrane chemistry, interfacial architecture, and operating conditions influence catalytic activity, ionic and electronic transport, water management, degradation, and overall device performance. Contributions may address the development of non-precious-metal catalysts and AEM materials, compatibility between catalyst layers and ionomers, interface-sensitive degradation mechanisms, and strategies for improving performance under practical current densities and extended operation. The Topic will also consider studies using operando and in situ characterization, computational modelling, and data-driven approaches to predict interfacial evolution. Comparative studies evaluating AEM systems alongside proton exchange membrane technologies are also encouraged where they provide insight into performance, durability, cost, or materials selection.To gather further insights into catalyst–membrane interactions in alkaline electrochemical devices, this Research Topic welcomes contributions spanning materials chemistry, electrochemistry, membrane science, device engineering, characterization, and modelling. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:Design and mechanistic understanding of non-precious-metal catalysts for oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction in alkaline mediaAEMs and ionomers, including chemical structure, hydroxide conductivity, stability, water uptake, and structure–property relationshipsCatalyst–ionomer–membrane interactions and their influence on charge transfer, ionic transport, water management, and reaction selectivityCatalyst-layer and membrane-electrode assembly design, fabrication, interfacial architecture, and performance optimizationInterfacial degradation, catalyst dissolution, ionomer degradation, membrane ageing, crossover, and accelerated stress testingDevice-level performance and durability studies in AEM water electrolyzers and fuel cellsOperando and in situ characterization of interfacial structure, chemistry, transport, and degradationMultiscale modelling, computational approaches, and data-driven methods linking molecular processes with device-level performanceCatalyst or AEM material advances with clear implications for catalyst–membrane interface performanceComparative benchmarking of AEM and proton exchange membrane systems in terms of activity, efficiency, durability, scalability, and costStandardized testing protocols, performance metrics, reproducibility, and techno-economic or sustainability assessmentsWe welcome submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Perspective, and Methods articles. Topic editors: Heng Liu, Chenxiao Lin, Zunmin Guo Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84986/catalyst-membrane-interfaces-in-alkaline-electrochemical-devices