X-rays reveal how platinum oxidizes in real time inside hydrogen devices

Electrolysers produce hydrogen.

Fuel cells, in turn, generate electricity from hydrogen.

Both technologies are considered key building blocks of the energy transition, offering well-established solutions for storing, transporting and producing renewable energy.

However, there is a challenge: The platinum catalysts often used in these systems gradually lose performance under high operating loads.

In a sense, they "wear out" too quickly, increasing the costs of hydrogen technologies. ...