{"id":17618,"date":"2026-10-02T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/projects\/radar-pem-esr-based-short-term-diagnostics-for-the-aging-of-pem-electrolysis-membranes\/"},"modified":"2026-11-12T23:12:50","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T23:12:50","slug":"radar-pem-esr-based-short-term-diagnostics-for-the-aging-of-pem-electrolysis-membranes","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/radar-pem-esr-based-short-term-diagnostics-for-the-aging-of-pem-electrolysis-membranes\/","title":{"rendered":"RADAR-PEM - ESR-Based Short-Term Diagnostics for the Aging of PEM Electrolysis Membranes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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RADAR-PEM – ESR-Based Short-Term Diagnostics for the Aging of PEM Electrolysis Membranes<\/h1>\n

As part of the IGF project RADAR-PEM, the ZBT and the MPI-CEC are developing an ESR-based short-term diagnostic method for the direct measurement of membrane aging in PEM water electrolysis.<\/h4>\n

The IGF-funded RADAR-PEM project combines electron spin resonance<\/strong> (ESR) with electrochemical diagnostics<\/strong> to directly and quantitatively measure, for the first time, the radical-driven degradation of proton exchange membranes<\/strong> ZBT – The Hydrogen nd Fuel Cell Center<\/strong> in cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion<\/strong><\/a> (MPI-CEC) and began on 01. October 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Problem Statement<\/h2>\n

In PEM water electrolysis, radicals accelerate the chemical degradation of membranes and electrode assemblies. To date, detection has been primarily indirect<\/strong> – for example, via voltage drift, gas permeation, or fluoride concentration in the process water – and requires extensive lifespan tests<\/strong> spanning several hundred to a thousand operating hours. For SMEs, this poses a significant development and investment risk. The problem is exacerbated by regulatory efforts to replace per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) with new, less critical polymers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Project Goal<\/h2>\n

RADAR-PEM aims to develop and validate an ESR-based short-term diagnostic method<\/strong> (\u2264 72 h) that directly measures radical formation – type, concentration, and lifetime – and quantitatively links it to electrochemical parameters: voltage drift (\u0394U), gas crossover (H\u2082\/O\u2082 crossover), open-circuit voltage (OCV) drift, and EIS for separating ohmic, kinetic, and transport losses. Based on this, SOPs and safe operating windows<\/strong> are derived for PFAS-based and PFAS-free proton-exchange polymers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Measurement Architecture<\/h2>\n

The experimental realisation relies on two complementary test cells<\/strong>: an ESR spectroelectrochemical cell<\/strong> with a membrane to simulate H\u2082 permeation and measure the influence of non-PGM supports (e.g., TiO\u2082, SnO\u2082\/ATO, Ti\u2084O\u2087, ZrO\u2082); and a reference PEM fuel cell<\/strong> coupled with an ESR spectrometer for realistic OCV, minimum load, and load protocols with spin trapping in the circuit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Partners and Roles<\/h2>\n

The MPI-CEC<\/strong> (M\u00fclheim an der Ruhr) is responsible for the ESR methodology<\/strong> – both direct and spin-trapping – as well as the spectroelectrochemical cells, calibration, and data correlation. The ZBT<\/strong> (Duisburg) operates the reference PEM fuel cell<\/strong> (three-electrode, RHE) and handles EIS, gas permeation, MEA screening, operating window and idle protocols, as well as SOP development and transfer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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0Utilise benefits and transfer for SMEs<\/h2>\n

The project addresses a generic industrial problem<\/strong> involving the early assessment of radical-driven material aging and opens up new opportunities for SMEs<\/strong> in the areas of accelerated material down-selection, risk reduction, and qualification-based service offerings. The project will result in the transfer of standardised test protocols<\/strong>, SOPs, reference datasets, calibration standards, and a traceable data pipeline<\/strong> for correlating radical formation and material aging.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Project information<\/h2>\n