Anion Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells and Water Electrolysis

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer electrolyte membranes may be classified into two types: proton exchange membranes (PEMs) and anion exchange membranes (AEMs). This classification is based on their chemical composition, which facilitates the movement of either cations or anions. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) technologies have outperformed alkaline water electrolyzer/fuel cells in terms of H₂ generation rate, power density, and cell efficiency, making them well suited for large-scale applications. It is crucial to recognize that the acidic environment in PEM cells restricts the choice of catalysts only to the platinum group metals (PGMs), and supplementary elements like as membranes and bipolar plates incur very high manufacturing expenses, leading to the overall costly nature of PEM technology. The very acidic environments can significantly reduce the durability of mobile devices. In contrast, AEMs are independent of precious group metals (PGMs), resulting in a substantial decrease in the overall manufacturing cost in comparison to proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology. Furthermore, the issue of corrosion in alkaline environments is greatly reduced, leading to improved longevity of the catalyst and extended lifespan of cell devices.

AEM technology is expected to have a significant role in the area of clean hydrogen generation and utilization. The recent progress in anion exchange membranes has partially driven the development of AEM technologies. However, there are still significant challenges in important areas such as membrane durability, activity in pure water, and ionomer impact on cell performance, which have not yet been adequately addressed.

This Special Issue focuses on the publication of novel original experimental data related to the creation, manufacturing, and examination of polymeric anion exchange materials, including membranes and ionomers. We highly prioritize accepting articles that utilizes novel in situ and operando techniques to understand the polymer degradation mechanism and gas permeability. We are particularly interested in receiving review and perspective papers on AEM water electrolysis and fuel cells that provide a comprehensive assessment of the present state and future prospects of this growing topic.

Dr. Bjorn Hasa
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• anion exchange membranes
• water electrolysis
• fuel cells
• ionomers
• polymer
• hydrogen production