Optimizing an iron- and manganese-based electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction in a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer

Rosenthal MK, Moumaneix L, Rautama EL, Lahtinen J, Jiang H, Cherevko S, Priamushko T, Kallio T (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Chemical Engineering Journal Elsevier

Book Volume: 528

Article Number: 172461

DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.172461

Abstract

The development of electrocatalysts based on earth-abundant elements has gained significant attention due to the scarcity and high cost of Ir- and Ru-based materials typically used in proton exchange membrane electrolyzers (PEMELs). This study focuses on Fe-Mn-based catalysts for promoting the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the sluggish four-electron process at the anode of PEMELs, where acidic conditions and high anodic potentials (1.6–2.0 VRHE) often accelerate corrosion. The catalysts were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and optimized using a response surface design of experiments (DOE), followed by detailed physicochemical characterization. The optimized composition ( [Figure presented] ) demonstrates good electrochemical activity and stability, maintaining performance over 10,000 potential cycles between 1.2 and 2.0 VRHE, with a moderate shift in the overpotential required to reach 10 mAcm−2 (from 1.78 ViR−corr vs RHE to 1.84 ViR−corr vs RHE). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of flow cells scanning (SFC-ICP-MS) confirms high stability at elevated potentials, showing reduced [Figure presented] to [Figure presented] oxidation. At lower potentials (≤1.4VRHE), dissolution signals indicate reductive leaching of Fe and Mn. Integration of the catalyst into a laboratory PEMEL demonstrate operational stability, sustaining 10 mAcm−2 at 50 °C over 80 h, with a 50 mV increase in iR-corrected potential (1.82 to 1.87 V).

Involved external institutions

Forschungszentrum Jülich / Research Centre Jülich (FZJ) DE Germany (DE) Aalto University Espoo FI Finland (FI)

How to cite

APA:

Rosenthal, M.K., Moumaneix, L., Rautama, E.L., Lahtinen, J., Jiang, H., Cherevko, S.,... Kallio, T. (2026). Optimizing an iron- and manganese-based electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction in a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer. Chemical Engineering Journal, 528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.172461

MLA:

Rosenthal, Moritz Karl, et al. "Optimizing an iron- and manganese-based electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction in a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer." Chemical Engineering Journal 528 (2026).

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