Catalyst Design and Stability in Membrane-Based Electrolysis
A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Applications for Energy".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 14
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Membrane-based electrolysis technologies, such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzers, and membrane electrode assembly (MEA)-based systems, are emerging as key platforms for sustainable hydrogen production and the electrochemical conversion of small molecules such as CO2 and N2. Their efficiency and durability are jointly governed by catalyst design and the intrinsic properties of membranes, including ion selectivity, chemical durability, and transport characteristics.
Recent progress in atomic-level engineering, nanostructuring, and surface functionalization has enhanced catalyst activity, selectivity, and stability under demanding electrochemical conditions. At the same time, advances in membrane science, including improved polymer backbones, optimized ion-conducting groups, and reinforced architectures, have been essential to achieving high conductivity, robust chemical/mechanical stability, and favorable catalyst–membrane interactions.
Applied perspectives are increasingly crucial: understanding and mitigating degradation pathways such as catalyst dissolution, agglomeration, poisoning, and membrane chemical/mechanical failure; improving catalyst–membrane compatibility and interfacial transport; and integrating these advances into scalable device architectures. This Special Issue aims to highlight advances in both catalyst and membrane development, with particular emphasis on strategies that link fundamental molecular insights to practical device performance. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and short communications on topics including the following:
- Novel strategies for catalyst and membrane design and integration;
- Operando and in situ characterization of catalyst–membrane interfaces;
- Mechanistic insights into activity, selectivity, transport, and degradation processes;
- Stability assessments and mitigation strategies for catalysts and membranes;
- System-level studies addressing energy efficiency, durability, scalability, and techno-economic feasibility.
By bridging perspectives from catalysis, membrane science, and electrochemical engineering, this Special Issue seeks to highlight synergistic strategies for developing robust, high-performance catalysts and membranes in next-generation electrolysis systems, thereby accelerating the transition toward sustainable energy technologies.
Dr. Chengli Rong
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- membrane electrode assembly (MEA)-based electrolysis
- membrane science
- ion transport and selectivity
- catalyst–membrane interactions
- stability and durability
- catalyst degradation and durability mechanisms
- operando and in situ characterization techniques
- stability enhancement strategies
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