High-performance and durable water electrolysis using a highly conductive and stable anion-exchange membrane

Abstract

© 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLCThe commercialization of anion-exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) is crucial to produce low-cost and high-purity hydrogen. However, water electrolysis with an anion-exchange membrane (AEM) has limitations such as its low ionic conductivity and stability, leading to low performance and durability of AEMWE. In this study, we developed high-performance and stable AEMWE employing an AEM without aryl-ether backbone structure. To achieve high-performance and durable AEMWE, the effect of various parameters that is suitable for the adapted AEM was investigated. As a result, the AEM adapted in this work performed much better and was more durable than the conventional AEM (FAA-3). Moreover, it exhibited high efficiency under pure water feeding conditions. These results were attributed to high-efficient and durable AEM caused by its absence of aryl-ether backbone. This work suggests the potential use of polyphenylene structure as aryl-ether free backbone of AEM on AEMWE operated using alkaline solution and/or pure water.