Recent advancements in catalyst coated membranes for water electrolysis: a critical review

It is imperative to transition towards sustainable energy sources to mitigate the escalating threat of global warming and ameliorate the adverse impacts of climatic changes. Water electrolysis (WE) stands out as a promising pathway for producing green hydrogen among various renewable energy technologies. Hydrogen offers a flexible and eco-friendly energy solution that holds promise for reducing carbon emissions across multiple industries. Recent progress in sustainable hydrogen production reflects its ability to meet the growing need for clean fuel and efficient energy storage. Despite the myriad components influencing the efficacy and long-term stability of electrolysis systems, the catalyst coated membrane (CCM) assumes a pivotal role. This present review comprehensively examines the state-of-the-art in catalyst coated membrane technology for water electrolysis, elucidating fabrication techniques, design principles, durability, degradation mechanisms and performance-enhancing strategies. Furthermore, this review article contributes to further technological advancements and future perspectives of CCM in water electrolysers, focusing on electrolyser design, materials innovation, and system integration for commercially viable hydrogen production purposes.