KIMS Researchers Develop Real-Time Diagnostic Platform to Track Efficiency Loss in Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis

A South Korean research team has pioneered a two-electrode diagnostic framework that precisely identifies and separates causes of performance degradation in water electrolysis systems during operation. This new analytical method allows for the real-time quantification of voltage loss, providing a critical tool for accelerating the commercialization of green hydrogen production.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 8:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

Pioneering a Real-Time Analytical Framework for Green Hydrogen

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), in collaboration with Pusan National University, have successfully developed a diagnostic technology capable of analyzing the specific causes of performance degradation in anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) systems. This development addresses a significant bottleneck in the transition to green hydrogen, as AEMWE systems are often plagued by voltage increases during long-term operation that were previously difficult to diagnose. By establishing a new framework that separates individual resistance components under actual operating conditions, the team has created a platform that could substantially improve the durability and cost-effectiveness of electrochemical water splitting.

Overcoming the Limitations of Traditional Diagnostic Methods

Historically, analyzing individual electrode reactions required complex three-electrode setups or half-cell experiments that failed to replicate the conditions of a functional single-cell system. While standard two-electrode configurations are easier to implement, they generally only allow for the monitoring of overall performance without pinpointing specific failure points. The research team, led by principal researcher Sung Mook Choi, bypassed these constraints by integrating electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis. This combination allows for a sophisticated "deconvolution" of voltage loss mechanisms within a practical, real-world system architecture.

Quantifying Complex Resistance Components During Operation

The new analytical framework enables the precise categorization of voltage loss into four distinct areas: mass transport resistance, hydroxide ion transport resistance, charge transfer resistance, and membrane and contact resistance. Through this detailed breakdown, the study revealed that performance drops are rarely the result of a single factor like electrode wear. Instead, degradation is often caused by a combination of limited ion transport and mass transfer constraints. By isolating these factors, engineers can now identify exactly which component of an electrolysis system be it the membrane, the electrode, or the electrolyte concentration requires optimization to maintain peak efficiency.