Recent progress in anion exchange membranes (AEMs) in water electrolysis: synthesis, physio-chemical analysis, properties, and applications

Abstract

The production of hydrogen through water electrolysis using anion exchange membranes (AEMs) is gaining popularity worldwide due to its cost-effectiveness and efficiency. AEMs play a crucial role in enabling hydroxide (OH–) conduction while preventing fuel crossover, thereby influencing the performance and durability of water electrolysis (WE) systems. This comprehensive review aims to explore recent scientific research on membrane development, specifically focusing on hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon-based AEMs. It analyzes AEMs' physiochemical structures, including morphologies, topologies, surface properties, functional groups, organic components, and thermal stability. AEMs have different characteristics, such as ion exchange capacity, ionic conductivity, water uptake, swelling ratio, mechanical stability, and pH stability, which are also discussed in detail based on their backbone structures. Additionally, the review delves into the current advancements in AEM-based water electrolysis by examining the latest literature on membranes. It also explores the progress in electrocatalysts used in hydrogen production for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) systems. By discussing the prospects of AEM research and addressing the associated challenges, this review provides insights into the future direction of this field. Overall, this comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for understanding the development, properties, and applications of AEMs in water electrolysis, shedding light on the advancements in membrane technology and their impact on hydrogen production.