Developing Tailored Materials for the Industrial Production of Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers through a Statistical Approach

Abstract

With the aim of better identifying possible solutions to the actual critical issues regarding the uncertain performance of anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzers, analytical mathematical models related to their materials’ selection are developed through multivariate analysis. An objective evaluation and selection of such solutions are herein proposed through a statistical approach, based on multivariate data analysis (ANOVA), involving data from literature based on academic and commercial datasets. First, a classification of the materials of interest is made; thereafter, three electrolyzer properties are evaluated as responses (cost, current density, and time stability). In the results, it is demonstrated that each property considered is promoted by a different material's combination. For example, the highest current density (>1123 mA cm−2) is achieved by employing KOH as electrolyte, whereas the lowest assembly cost (≈2 $ Kg−1) is related to platinum-based cathodes coupled with membranes at a higher loading thickness (130 μm). The selection of materials in this way will aim to gather the most suitable ones based on objective criteria, which will further drive the development of electrolyzers that are increasingly efficient and sustainable.