A recent study published in Nature Materials by scientists from Leiden University and SLAC National Laboratory unveils the root cause of platinum electrode corrosion, a critical discovery for advancing green hydrogen production. While most metals are protected against corrosion under negative polarization, platinum electrodes degrade swiftly in such conditions. Through innovative X-ray spectroscopy techniques at SLAC, researchers identified platinum hydrides as the primary catalyst for corrosion. By observing and analyzing the corrosion process in real-time, the team confirmed that platinum hydrides play a central role in the degradation of platinum electrodes submerged in electrolytes. The study's outcomes not only shed light on the long-standing mystery of platinum corrosion but also offer a pathway towards more cost-effective and reliable electrochemical sensors and green hydrogen production. The collaboration between Leiden University and SLAC highlights the significance of merging diverse expertise to tackle scientific challenges, while the advanced operando methods developed at SLAC pave the way for addressing age-old scientific inquiries. The team's meticulous approach, combining experimental observations with computer modeling, culminated in the breakthrough realization that platinum hydrides are responsible for the corrosion. This finding opens up possibilities for developing targeted solutions to mitigate platinum corrosion in various electrochemical devices, emphasizing the pivotal role of interdisciplinary cooperation and cutting-edge scientific techniques in driving innovation and progress in the field.