{"id":11310,"date":"2024-07-04T13:43:33","date_gmt":"2024-07-04T13:43:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prod.zbt.compositas.io\/institute\/departments\/electrochemical-components\/"},"modified":"2025-08-01T11:50:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T11:50:05","slug":"electrochemical-components","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staging.zbt.de\/en\/institute\/departments\/electrochemical-components\/","title":{"rendered":"Electrochemical Components"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Electrochemical Components Department<\/h1>\n

The Electrochemical Components department aims to break down the processes in electrochemical energy conversion systems such as fuel cells and electrolysis cells in detail and optimize them systematically. <\/h4>\n

This involves the use of state-of-the-art electrochemical and physical analysis methods, innovative architectures, and scalable manufacturing processes for individual components and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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We focus on the entire process chain from development and optimization to manufacturing and recycling of MEAs and their components for both PEM fuel cells and PEM and AEM water electrolysis<\/strong>. With our R&D activities ranging from laboratory<\/strong> to industrial scale<\/strong>, we aim to maximize the efficiency<\/strong> and long-term stability<\/strong> of fuel and electrolysis cells, develop industry-appropriate manufacturing technologies<\/strong>, and reduce system costs<\/strong>. Through close collaboration with academic and industrial partners, we want to pave the way for rapid market penetration<\/strong> of these technologies. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Areas of Focus<\/h2>\n

Our work focuses on investigating electrochemical processes<\/strong> and on the comprehensive physico-chemical characterization of cell components<\/strong> as well as their precursors and intermediates.
These ex situ and in situ studies aim to gain fundamental insights into the relationships between component properties and performance data, thereby providing the basis for the development of innovative materials, manufacturing methods, and production processes. <\/p>\n

The department is divided into two specialist groups: MEA Development and Electrocatalysis (MEEK)<\/strong> and MEA Production Technology and Characterization (MPC)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The department’s cross-group expertise and testing capabilities<\/strong> enable comprehensive characterisation<\/strong> of intermediate products and MEAs at the single-cell and short stack level<\/strong> with respect to (accelerated) break-in behavior, performance (BOL), aging (EOL), and emissions under real-world operating conditions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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MEA Development and Electrocatalysis<\/h1>\n
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The science-oriented MEEK group specialises in the development and optimisation of highly innovative<\/strong> MEA components from the nano to the layer level<\/strong>. This includes, for example, the use of novel electrocatalysts<\/strong>, including innovative catalyst supports, precious metal-free or reduced active species, and custom-made electrode architectures<\/strong>, such as those with 3D gradients of ion conductors and catalyst particles. These approaches further optimise state-of-the-art<\/em> materials and technologies and lay the foundation for high-performance next-generation MEA components. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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MEA Production Technology and Characterisation<\/h1>\n
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The MPC group is dedicated to application-oriented research for the development and optimisation of manufacturing processes and industry-appropriate production processes for electrochemically active layers, CCMs and MEAs<\/strong> for fuel cells and electrolysis applications. In addition to electrode and MEA design<\/strong>, the focus is on scalable coating processes<\/strong> such as doctor blade and slot die coating. In addition, the group has a wide range of advanced characterisation methods<\/strong> at its disposal for determining key parameters such as the electrical, thermal and proton conductivity, permeability and much more of individual components and MEAs. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Our Potential<\/h2>\n

We are a team of 15 dedicated experts. Our work is supported by an extensive infrastructure that allows us to precisely characterise individual components, examine CCMs, MEAs and complete cells under a wide range of operating conditions, and develop improved components and new manufacturing processes. <\/p>\n