{
  "abstract": "Optimal catalyst-layer fabrication strategies for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are often developed under a single set of operating conditions, making it unclear whether the resulting design rules remain valid across different operating environments. Here, we show that operating conditions not only shift catalyst-layer optima but re-order the fabrication parameters governing performance. By combining application-relevant gas diffusion electrode (GDE) measurements with machine-learning analysis, we map the multidimensional fabrication–performance space of Pt/C oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst layers across humid low-temperature (30 °C, relative humidity (RH) > 80%) and dry high-temperature (120 °C, RH < 10%) regimes. The optimal catalyst-layer fabrication parameters change significantly between conditions, and their relative importance re-orders. While ionomer- and Pt-concentration-related parameters dominate performance under humid low temperature conditions, process- and deposition-related parameters become governing factors under dry high-temperature operation. These results demonstrate that catalyst-layer optimization is inherently condition-dependent and challenge the notion of universal fabrication rules. More broadly, this work establishes operating-condition-dependent design spaces as a fundamental principle of catalyst-layer engineering, providing a framework for developing electrodes optimized for the specific operating conditions of next-generation PEMFCs.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, Bern, 3012",
    "Department of Physics, University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Sven Nösberger",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-4025-9151"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ahmad Tirmidzi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Gustav K.H. Wiberg"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Matthias Arenz"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cyvje83dg5t1n.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.26434/chemrxiv.15008324/v1",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "cyvje83dg5t1n",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15008324/v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2208|Fuel Cells and Related Materials"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7208769930",
  "pdf_url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/pdf/10.26434/chemrxiv.15008324/v1",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-04",
  "publisher": "American Chemical Society (ACS)",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cyvje83dg5t1n.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:17Z",
      "native_id": "10.26434/chemrxiv.15008324",
      "source": "chemrxiv",
      "url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15008324/v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "source:chemrxiv",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Operating conditions redefine the governing principles of catalyst-layer fabrication",
  "title_text": "Operating conditions redefine the governing principles of catalyst-layer fabrication",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:17Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cyvje83dg5t1n",
  "venue": "ChemRxiv",
  "versions": []
}