In this exclusive interview, Madjid Tarabet, Project Manager and Postdoctoral Researcher at HORIBA France SAS, explains how advanced in situ Raman spectroscopy can help bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial alkaline electrolysis. By monitoring catalyst transformations under realistic operating conditions, his work supports the development of more stable, efficient and scalable technologies for green hydrogen production.
«The project avoids the classic pitfall of laboratory catalysts that perform exceptionally well under ideal testing conditions but lose effectiveness once integrated into real devices» – Madjid Tarabet
Within SEAL-HYDROGEN, Madjid Tarabet and the HORIBA team are developing a reliable, safety-compliant solution for performing in situ Raman measurements in a spectroelectrochemical cell that reproduces conditions as close as possible to those of a real electrolyzer. Their work will help researchers monitor the phase transformations of NiFe-LDH catalysts during operation and identify species formed during the oxygen evolution reaction, providing deeper insight into catalyst behaviour and degradation mechanisms.
Could you briefly introduce yourself and your role within SEAL-HYDROGEN and at HORIBA?
I am Madjid Tarabet, Project Manager and Postdoctoral Researcher at HORIBA France SAS. After completing a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Lorraine, focused on the coupling of Raman spectroscopy and electrochemistry, I joined HORIBA to take part in the SEAL-HYDROGEN adventure. Within this project, I lead the activities related to the development of a solution for in situ characterization through the coupling of Raman spectroscopy and electrochemistry. In parallel, I also conduct experiments and characterization studies on the project materials.
From your organisation’s perspective, what is your main contribution to the project?
HORIBA’s contribution is to provide a reliable and safety-compliant solution for performing in situ Raman measurements using a spectroelectrochemical cell capable of reproducing operating conditions that are as close as possible to those of a real electrolyzer. This includes high electrolyte flow rates, high current densities and optimal minimization of ohmic drop, conditions that have so far not been accessible with commercially available cells.
This approach enables us to better understand and monitor the phase transformations of NiFe-LDH catalysts under operating conditions. It also provides the opportunity to identify species that may form during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media, contributing to a deeper understanding of the underlying reaction mechanisms.
In your view, what are the main challenges in developing stable and efficient alkaline water electrolysis systems?
Developing stable and efficient alkaline electrolyzers is essential for producing high-purity hydrogen at large scale without relying on critical materials such as iridium and platinum, or fluorinated components such as PFAS. The availability of these materials and the evolving regulatory framework represent significant challenges for PEM technology. In addition, working on technologies that support the energy transition contributes to the development of increasingly decarbonized energy systems.
The main challenge is to overcome the historical limitations of alkaline electrolysis, namely lower current densities issues, in order to achieve performance levels comparable to PEM systems while using abundant and cost-effective materials. Ultimately, this would reduce electricity costs, which represent a substantial portion of the total cost of hydrogen production, while also improving the lifetime of electrolysis installations.
How does SEAL-HYDROGEN address these challenges, especially from an industrial or application-oriented perspective?
The project avoids the classic pitfall of laboratory catalysts that perform exceptionally well under ideal testing conditions but lose effectiveness once integrated into real devices. SEAL-HYDROGEN adopts a comprehensive approach, spanning from model electrodes to full-cell validation under realistic operating conditions.
This strategy is also supported by spectroscopic techniques that directly correlate electrochemical performance with the structural evolution of the catalyst material. Furthermore, the project relies on commercially available components, ensuring that the innovations developed can be readily transferred to existing industrial production lines.
What would you highlight as the most innovative aspect of the project so far and what developments or breakthroughs are you most excited about?
One of the most innovative aspects of SEAL-HYDROGEN is its approach to catalyst synthesis. Whereas conventional synthesis protocols often require high-temperature and high-pressure autoclaves, the project relies on a synthesis route carried out in aqueous media, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
The benefit is not only economic. These synthesis conditions produce a structurally more disordered material, which exhibits an activity comparable to that of its high-temperature counterparts. As a result, we obtain a noble-metal-free catalyst that is both highly efficient and more sustainable, while also being suitable for large-scale production. This scalability is precisely what has been missing to move these materials beyond the laboratory and toward industrial implementation.
