Membrane Strategies for Water Electrolysis

Abstract

Hydrogen holds great promise as a clean energy resource to help the global carbon-free energy goal. Green hydrogen production from renewable energy-powered water electrolysis can decarbonize hard-to-abate industries and transport applications. Ion-exchange membranes are an essential component of membrane-based water electrolysis, enabling high hydrogen production efficiency through a zero-gap configuration. While perfluorosulfonic acids are the standard polymer electrolyte membrane material, research efforts for membrane alternatives have increased over the years to drive down the cost of electrolyzers and improve devices' durability without sacrificing performance and efficiency. Here we present our perspectives on acidic, alkaline, and bipolar membranes for water electrolyzers and discuss future research directions to develop advanced membranes for green hydrogen production technology.

Fewer Sandwich Papers, Please

“…Obviously, most energy devices have multiple components and fairly complex architectures. For example, solar cells and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) made of metal halide perovskites or organic semiconductors have an electron transfer layer, a hole transport layer, active material layer(s), two metal electrodes, and the interfaces between them. , An electrochemical energy storage battery consists of a cathode, anode, separator, electrolyte, and current collectors. , An electrolyzer or fuel cell has at least two different electrocatalysts on the cathode and anode, electrolyte solution(s), and possibly a membrane . Just like the process of making sandwiches in fast-food sandwich shops, if one permutes different choices for each layer (component) and sets out to survey and demonstrate solar cells, LEDs, or other energy devices, many different (and perhaps nearly randomly designed) papers can be produced quickly (Figure ).…”

“…4,5 An electrolyzer or fuel cell has at least two different electrocatalysts on the cathode and anode, electrolyte solution(s), and possibly a membrane. 6 Just like the process of making sandwiches in fastfood sandwich shops, if one permutes different choices for each layer (component) and sets out to survey and demonstrate solar cells, LEDs, or other energy devices, many different (and perhaps nearly randomly designed) papers can be produced quickly (Figure 1). To be fair and clear, a significant amount of systematic optimization of complex energy devices is always part of the hard work needed to achieve improved device performance, but what is concerning is the casual (or random) combinatorial effort in making such devices without the driving scientific or engineering principles.…”

Photoelectrochemical and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation: A Virtual Issue

“…Finally, the recent thrust in the use of membrane-based electrolyzers opens up new approaches to employ semiconductor photoelectrodes for large-scale H 2 generation, thus offering a practical advantage. , With proper design of electrodes and membrane assembly, one can envision new efforts to design photoelectrochemical electrolyzers in the near future.…”

Phenyl‐Free Polynorbornenes for Potential Anion Exchange Ionomers for Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers

“…[15] The adsorbed phenyl groups are electrochemically oxidized to phenol, which neutralizes hydroxide and thus decreases hydroxide conductivity and reduces the local pH. [16] To reduce the detrimental effect associated with the adsorption of the aromatic group, we calculated the adsorption energy of phenyl groups and implemented the ionomers with low adsorption energy into the electrode design. One outstanding aromatic group that has substantially low adsorption energy is fluorene.…”

“…[ 15 ] The adsorbed phenyl groups are electrochemically oxidized to phenol, which neutralizes hydroxide and thus decreases hydroxide conductivity and reduces the local pH. [ 16 ]…”