The development of an innovative technology for hydrogen production through anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) has been introduced by a research team led by Professor Seung Geol Lee at UNIST. By employing a non-platinum metal catalyst and utilizing potassium to adhere to surfaces, this method aims to prevent ionomer oxidation, thus improving the efficiency and durability of hydrogen production devices. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing the electrochemical oxidation of ionomers at the interface with catalysts, highlighting the competitive adsorption strategy as a promising solution. By reducing direct contact between ionomers and catalysts, the performance and stability of AEMWE systems can be significantly enhanced, offering potential benefits for various energy devices. The research findings, published in ACS Energy Letters, showcase the effectiveness of the competitive adsorption strategy in mitigating ionomer oxidation while maintaining hydrogen production performance. The collaborative nature of the research, involving experts from different institutions and support from governmental organizations, underlines the significance of this advancement in advancing high-performance alkaline AEMWE systems and other energy technologies.