{"id":16901,"date":"2026-08-20T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/?post_type=news&p=16901"},"modified":"2026-09-23T11:35:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T11:35:27","slug":"more-stable-mno%e2%82%82-anodes-for-pem-water-electrolysis","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/news\/more-stable-mno%e2%82%82-anodes-for-pem-water-electrolysis\/","title":{"rendered":"New ZBT publication: More stable MnO\u2082 anodes for PEM water electrolysis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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New ZBT publication: More stable MnO\u2082 anodes for PEM water electrolysis<\/h1>\n

Nb\/F-Co doping improves the activity and long-term stability of a PGM-free catalyst for acid oxygen generation<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A new publication with significant ZBT involvement presents a promising approach to developing more durable and resource-efficient anode materials for PEM water electrolysis. Through targeted Co-doping of manganese dioxide (MnO\u2082) with niobium and fluorine, the research team was able to increase catalytic activity whilst significantly improving the material\u2019s stability under highly acidic operating conditions. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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PGM-free catalysts for scalable PEM water electrolysis<\/h2>\n

PEM water electrolysis is regarded as a key technology for the production of green hydrogen. However, a major challenge lies on the anode side: to date, iridium-based catalysts have been the primary choice for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Iridium is rare, expensive and only available in limited quantities for large-scale expansion of electrolysis. The development of high-performance and stable PGM-free alternatives is therefore a key component for the future scaling up of the technology. <\/p>\n

In this new study, MnO\u2082 is specifically modified at the atomic level through the simultaneous introduction of Nb\u2075\u207a and F\u207b. The co-doping influences the electronic structure and stabilises the ratio of different Mn oxidation states. This suppresses excessive oxidation of manganese under OER conditions, which can otherwise lead to the dissolution and degradation of the catalyst. The co-doped MnO\u2082-Nb-F catalyst achieved an overpotential of 410 mV at 10 mA cm\u207b\u00b2 and exhibited a cell voltage of 1.91 V at 1 A cm\u207b\u00b2 in a PEM electrolyser at 60 \u00b0C. In the long-term test, operation was possible for over 380 hours at 0.4 A cm\u207b\u00b2. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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ZBT-XRD reveals structural changes<\/h2>\n

X-ray diffraction at the ZBT provided a key basis for understanding the new catalyst. The ZBT-XRD was used to investigate how the incorporation of niobium and fluorine affects the crystal structure, phase composition and lattice parameters of the MnO\u2082.<\/p>\n

The measurements show that the characteristic \u03b3\/\u03b2 MnO\u2082 structure is retained even after Co doping. At the same time, shifts, broadening and reduced intensities of individual diffraction peaks indicate lattice expansion, local stresses and increased structural disorder. It is also crucial that no additional crystalline Nb-containing secondary phases were detected. The XRD results thus provide important structural evidence that the doping does indeed interact with the MnO\u2082 system without disrupting its fundamental crystal structure. Together with electron microscopy, XPS and operando XAS, this provides a detailed picture of how Nb and F alter the electronic and structural properties of the catalyst.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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From materials analysis to the PEM electrolyser: research across the entire development chain<\/h2>\n

The publication illustrates what research at the ZBT is all about: developing materials, understanding their structure and function, evaluating them electrochemically and testing them under realistic conditions in the electrolyser.<\/p>\n

We congratulate Vimanshu Chanda, Viktor Mackert, Pascal Sous, Markus Sonnenberg, Hesham Solh, Sebastian Daniel Hirt, Harry Ernst Hoster and Natalia Levin, as well as all the other researchers involved, on this outstanding collaborative work.<\/p>\n

The article \u201eCation-Anion Co-Doping Enables Acid-Stable MnO\u2082 Anodes for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis\u201c<\/strong> has been published in the journal Small Science<\/strong> by Wiley-VCH and Open Access<\/strong> is now available. A fantastic achievement for the entire research team and a prime example of the scientific work carried out at the ZBT.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Contact<\/h3>\n
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\n Vimanshu Chanda Ph.D.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n <\/svg><\/i>\n \n v.chanda@zbt.de<\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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More news<\/h2>\n
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T\u00dcV S\u00dcD Glasgow visits the ZBT\u2019s hydrogen test field<\/h4>\n

For the first hydrogen refuelling following the upgrade of its mobile gravimetric standard, the T\u00dcV S\u00dcD National Engineering Laboratory visited the ZBT\u2019s hydrogen test field. Refuelling measurements and field tests were carried out as part of a test campaign.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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New ZBT publication: More stable MnO\u2082 anodes for PEM water electrolysis<\/h4>\n

New ZBT research shows how Nb\/F co-doping can make MnO\u2082 anodes for PEM water electrolysis more stable and efficient.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Hydrogen in Focus: From Research to Application<\/h4>\n

How do hydrogen technologies make the transition from research to industrial application? Two interviews from the H2Raum blog series provide insights into the work of the ZBT, ranging from hydrogen infrastructure, quality assurance and refuelling to science communication, networking and knowledge transfer. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Type IV hydrogen storage: New data on thermal behaviour during discharge<\/h4>\n

New technical publication: ZBT investigates temperature trends in a 244-litre high-pressure storage tank under real operating conditions.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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ZBT at the Hydrogen Technology Expo 2026 in Hamburg<\/h4>\n

Meet ZBT and the partners of MAT4HY.NRW from 20 to 22 October 2026, at the Hydrogen Technology World Expo in Hamburg.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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High-Performance AEM Electrolysis Without Platinum Group Metals<\/h4>\n

A new scientific paper published in the Journal of Power Sources demonstrates the potential of electroplated nickel-sulfur cathodes on stainless steel nonwoven fabric.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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New Instrument for Gas Analysis<\/h4>\n

The gas analysis laboratory at ZBT is being expanded to include an HPLC-QTOF mass spectrometer.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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