Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis from Catalyst Design to the Membrane Electrode Assembly

Abstract

Anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis aims to combine the benefits of alkaline electrolysis, such as stability of the cheap catalyst and advantages of proton-exchange membrane systems, like the ability to operate at differential pressure, fast dynamic response, low energy losses, and higher current density. However, as of today, AEM electrolysis is limited by AEMs exhibiting insufficient ionic conductivity as well as lower catalyst activity and stability. Herein, recent developments and outlook of AEM electrolysis such as cost-efficient transition metal catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction, AEMs, ionomer, electrolytes, ionomer catalyst–electrolyte interaction, and membrane-electrode assembly performance and stability are described.