Lyon – September 2025 – Adele Hydrogen, in collaboration with the DECHEMA Research Institute, is proud to release its first Technology Insight whitepaper: “Pathfinder electrodes: unlocking high-current-density alkaline electrolysis.”
The whitepaper presents breakthrough results achieved with Adele Hydrogen’s Pathfinder Electrodes, tested at DECHEMA’s facilities. These non-PGM catalyst-coated substrate electrodes demonstrated stable operation up to 3.5 A cm⁻², with cell voltages below 2.2 V at 3.0 A cm⁻² – performance never before attained in industrially viable alkaline electrolysers.
Key highlights include:
- Up to 80% stack CAPEX reduction at 2 A cm⁻², from €200,000/MW (nickel mesh baseline) to €41,000/MW, while maintaining efficiency.
- Best-in-class efficiency at low current densities (0.25 A cm⁻²), achieving 41 kWh·kg⁻¹ H₂ versus 54 kWh·kg⁻¹ H₂ for nickel mesh – a 23% energy saving.
- Flexible operation from 0.25 to >2 A cm⁻², enabling compact, adaptable electrolyser systems compatible with renewable power and dynamic electricity markets.
The figure below summarizes the current–voltage performance of a zero‑gap alkaline cell equipped with Pathfinder electrodes (Zirfon™ UTP 500 diaphragm; 30 wt.% KOH; 80 °C; ambient pressure). It shows specific energy consumption, hydrogen production rate, and efficiencies (HHV/LHV) across the operating window.
At identical, legacy operating regimes (0.25 A cm⁻²), the cell operates near 1.5 V with ~40.2 kWh·kg⁻¹ H₂. At high throughput, the cell remains below 2.2 V at 3.0 A cm⁻² and reaches 3.5 A cm⁻² around 2.35 V.
“Even at very high current density of 3.0 A cm⁻², the cell voltage remains below 2.2 V, which is a major breakthrough in alkaline electrolysis development. And when operated at 0.25 A cm⁻², the Pathfinder electrodes exhibit best-in-class efficiencies down to 40.2 kWh/kg H₂. This excellent behaviour can be attributed to both optimal catalyst utilization and efficient mass transport within the electrode structure.” said Dr. Jean-François Drillet, Head of the Energy Storage and Conversion Team at DECHEMA Research Institute.
“With the Pathfinder electrodes, we are fundamentally reshaping the economics of alkaline systems and unlocking new flexibility for their integration with renewable energy sources – directly addressing two of the greatest challenges facing the industry.” said Vincent Trouche, CEO of Adele Hydrogen.
The full whitepaper is available for download here: