Durable and highly-efficient anion exchange membrane water electrolysis using poly(biphenyl alkylene) membrane

Abstract

Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) is a promising technology for large-scale green-hydrogen production, owing to high current density, low gas permeability and low capital cost. High-performance and durable anion exchange membrane (AEM) is the key to bringing it into practical utilization. In this study, poly(biphenyl alkylene) (PBPA) AEM is synthesized and used for the highly-efficient and durable AEMWE. The fabrication conditions of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and working condition of water electrolysis are investigated in detail. The ionomer contents and electrolyte type significantly affect the performance and durability of the PBPA-based AEMWE cell. The as-fabricated AEMWE cell with the PBPA membrane achieves a current density as high as 4.0 A cm−2 @ 2.0 V in 1 M KOH at 80 °C and a continuous water electrolysis of over 3,500 h at 1.0 A cm−2 with a slow voltage rising rate of 6.5 μV h−1. The high performance and long durability exhibit that the PBPA-based AEM is promising towards the industrial hydrogen production.