Initiation of local damages to porous transport layer coatings in PEM water electrolyzer

Key Points

• Local damage was observed in the porous transport layer coatings of PEM water electrolyzers, impacting functionality.
• Significant alterations in coatings were identified, leading to compromised performance under operational conditions.
• Assessment of damage mechanisms involved detailed examination of coating materials and their response to water and ion transport.
• Understanding these local damages may enable better design strategies for more robust PEM electrolysis systems.