The Department of Energy (DOE) has identified the reduction of H2 production costs as a prominent objective. Therefore, any factor that influences the system's functionality and subsequently production cost is deemed significant. The stability of the cathode is a crucial factor in ensuring high operational reliability; however, its treatment in the existing literature remains inadequate. This review aims to identify the key challenges associated with the stability of HER electrodes and provides a comprehensive understanding of various cathodic degradation mechanisms. In the present investigation, genuine circumstances encountered by cathodes in the industrial sector are considered. Special attention is devoted to Fe-based materials, which are deemed favorable and economical options, whereas the deterioration mechanism of Ni-based counterparts, such as cutting-edge materials, is scrutinized. Furthermore, the limitations of using the E-pH diagram, which is a commonly employed tool for predicting stable phases under specific conditions, are discussed. In addition, the cost implications of developing alkaline water electrolyzer (AWEL) stacks are considered. Finally, a comprehensive discussion is presented on the durability of cathode plates, including an analysis of the factors that impact their predicted lifetime and protocols that facilitate the acquisition of more realistic stability results.

中文翻译：

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用于碱性水电解制氢的金属基阴极：材料审查、降解机制和耐久性测试


能源部 (DOE) 已将降低氢气生产成本确定为一个突出目标。因此，任何影响系统功能和随后生产成本的因素都被认为是重要的。阴极的稳定性是确保高运行可靠性的关键因素；然而，现有文献对其的处理仍然不够。本综述旨在确定与 HER 电极稳定性相关的关键挑战，并提供对各种阴极降解机制的全面了解。在本次调查中，考虑了阴极在工业领域遇到的真实情况。我们特别关注铁基材料，这些材料被认为是有利且经济的选择，而镍基材料（例如尖端材料）的劣化机制则受到仔细研究。此外，还讨论了使用 E-pH 图（一种在特定条件下预测稳定相的常用工具）的局限性。此外，还考虑了开发碱性水电解槽（AWEL）堆栈的成本影响。最后，对阴极板的耐久性进行了全面的讨论，包括对影响其预测寿命的因素的分析以及有助于获得更现实的稳定性结果的协议。