TUM School of Natural Sciences

Chair of Technical Electrochemistry

Prof. Dr. Hubert Gasteiger


In the field of Power-to-X, the Chair of Technical Electrochemistry is performing research on solutions for proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzers. By using renewable energies it is possible to produce green hydrogen via PEM water electrolysis. The research at the Chair of Technical Electrochemistry focusses on the design of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and of porous transport layers (PTLs) which are central components in PEM water electrolyzers. Topics include fundamental aspects (e.g. understanding of reaction mechanisms of novel catalyst materials) as well as applied research (e.g. reduction of catalyst loadings in MEAs, evaluation of MEA lifetime).

Website: Electrolysis research at TEC
Contact: Matthias Kornherr

Research at the Chair of Technical Electrochemistry regarding the usage of PtX products focusses on proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells to generate electrical energy. Topics include catalyst synthesis and catalyst layer design based on platinum group metals (PGM) as well as the development and characterization of PGM-free catalyst materials. Furthermore, transport processes in catalyst and gas diffusion layers are investigated and optimized. Performance and durability testing with in situ and ex situ diagnostics is performed, to gain a deeper understanding of degradation mechanisms.

Website: Fuel cell research at TEC
Contact: Matthias Kornherr

 

Research, validation and implementation of "Power-to-X" concepts
Central research topics in the project network are: Electrolysis solutions for the production of H2 from renewable energy and further process routes.

A reduction in critical platinum group materials as well as an improved efficiency of PEM water electrolyzers are the main objectives of the research project.

Type: Project within the Kopernikus-Strategy of the BMBF
Funding:  German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Runtime: 09/2019-08/2022
Website: https://www.kopernikus-projekte.de/
Additional information: TUM Cooperation Project

Pushing PEM Fuel Cells to Their Full Potential - Materials Development and Porous Layer Design Guided by Advanced Diagnostic
The Sinergia project aims at creating a better fundamental understanding of mass transport limitations on the cathode side of a PEM fuel cell. The cathode reaction requires protons being transported to the active site via a proton conductive ionomer phase and oxygen being supplied through the gas phase, mediated by the gas diffusion and microporous layer. To improve the mass transport in these components, we investigate ionomer-support-interactions and identify the characteristic structural parameters of the microporous layer using electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques.

Funding:  Swiss National Foundation (SNF)
Runtime: 11/2018-10/2022
Contact: Anne Berger

Development of pore-optimized catalysts and catalyst layers for high-performance polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
Fuel cell evaluation of pore-optimized catalyst layers

To achieve the required energy transition in Germany, the focus areas in the field of innovative energy technology, which were set within the frame of the 7th energy research program's call for proposals "Innovationen für die Energiewende", have to be adhered to. Especially in the field of fuel cell research, a higher efficiency of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) should be achieved, while simultaneously reducing the use of active catalyst material and therefore minimizing costs.
These requirements should be met within the frame of this joint project by investigating and using pore-optimized catalysts for future high performance PEMFCs. The required long-term stability is extensively investigated by studies at the Chair of Technical Electrochemistry. The results of the project aim for a contribution to leverage  hydrogen technologies like fuel cells and strengthen the German expertise in manufacturing core components for PEMFCs.

Funding:  German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi)
Runtime: 10/2020-10/2023
Contact: Roberta Della Bella

Next Generation AutomotIve membrane electrode Assemblies
The goal of GAIA is the development of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with improved power density at high current densities as well as increased durability. In accordance with the defined cost reduction of the PEMFCs, the developed MEAs are also tested at elevated operation temperatures.

Funding:  The GAIA project has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No 826097. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programm, Hydrogen Europe and Hydrogen Europe Research.
Runtime: 01/2019-12/2021
Website: https://www.gaia-fuelcell.eu/
Contact: Konstantin Weber

  • Möckl, Maximilian ; Ernst, Matthias F. ; Kornherr, Matthias ; Allebrod, Frank ; Bernt, Maximilian ; Byrknes, Jan ; Eickes, Christian ; Gebauer, Christian ; Moskovtseva, Antonina ; Gasteiger, Hubert A.: Durability Testing of Low-Iridium PEM Water Electrolysis Membrane Electrode Assemblies. Journal of The Electrochemical Society 169 (6), 2022 more…
  • Stühmeier, Björn M.; Pietsch, Markus R.; Schwämmlein, Jan N.; Gasteiger, Hubert A.: Pressure and Temperature Dependence of the Hydrogen Oxidation and Evolution Reaction Kinetics on Pt Electrocatalysts via PEMFC-based Hydrogen-Pump Measurements. Journal of The Electrochemical Society 168 (6), 2021, 064516 more…
  • Fathi Tovini, Mohammad; Hartig-Weiß, Alexandra; Gasteiger, Hubert A.; El-Sayed, Hany A.: The Discrepancy in Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalyst Lifetime Explained: RDE vs MEA - Dynamicity within the Catalyst Layer Matters. Journal of the Electrochemical Society 168 (1), 2021, 014512 more…
  • Hartig-Weiss, Alexandra; Tovini, Mohammad Fathi; Gasteiger, Hubert A.; El-Sayed, Hany A.: OER Catalyst Durability Tests Using the Rotating Disk Electrode Technique: The Reason Why This Leads to Erroneous Conclusions. ACS Applied Energy Materials 3 (11), 2020, 10323-10327 more…
  • Bernt, M.; Schröter, J.; Möckl, M.; Gasteiger, H. A.: Analysis of Gas Permeation Phenomena in a PEM Water Electrolyzer Operated at High Pressure and High Current Density. Journal of The Electrochemical Society 167 (12), 2020, 124502 more…
  • Geppert, Timon N.; Bosund, Markus; Putkonen, Matti; Stühmeier, Björn M.; Pasanen, Antti T.; Heikkilä, Pirjo; Gasteiger, Hubert A.; El-Sayed, Hany A.: HOR Activity of Pt-TiO2-Y at Unconventionally High Potentials Explained: The Influence of SMSI on the Electrochemical Behavior of Pt. Journal of The Electrochemical Society 167 (8), 2020, 084517 more…
  • Bernt, Maximilian; Hartig‐Weiß, Alexandra; Tovini, Mohammad Fathi; El‐Sayed, Hany A.; Schramm, Carina; Schröter, Jonas; Gebauer, Christian; Gasteiger, Hubert A.: Current Challenges in Catalyst Development for PEM Water Electrolyzers. Chemie Ingenieur Technik 92 (1-2), 2020, 31-39 more…
  • Schwämmlein, Jan N.; Pham, Nhat Long T.; Mittermeier, Thomas; Egawa, Masamitsu; Bonorand, Lukas; Gasteiger, Hubert A.: Through-Plane Conductivity of Anion Exchange Membranes at Sub-Freezing Temperatures—Hydroxide vs (Bi-)Carbonate Ions. Journal of The Electrochemical Society 167 (8), 2020, 084513 more…
  • Fichtner, Johannes; Watzele, Sebastian; Garlyyev, Batyr; Kluge, Regina M.; Haimerl, Felix; El-Sayed, Hany A.; Li, Wei-Jin; Maillard, Frédéric M.; Dubau, Laetitia; Chattot, Raphaël; Michalička, Jan; Macak, Jan M.; Wang, Wu; Wang, Di; Gigl, Thomas; Hugenschmidt, Christoph; Bandarenka, Aliaksandr S.: Tailoring the Oxygen Reduction Activity of Pt Nanoparticles through Surface Defects: A Simple Top-Down Approach. ACS Catalysis 10 (5), 2020, 3131-3142 more…
  • Schwämmlein, Jan N.; Torres, Paulette A. Loichet; Gasteiger, Hubert A.; El-Sayed, Hany A.: Direct PtSn Alloy Formation by Pt Electrodeposition on Sn Surface. Scientific Reports 10 (1), 2020 more…

Contact

Chair of Technical Electrochemistry
Prof. Dr. Hubert Gasteiger

Contact Person

Matthias Kornherr

Tel.: +49-(0)89-289-13856

Email