A Porous Skeleton‐Supported Organic/Inorganic Composite Membrane for High‐Efficiency Alkaline Water Electrolysis

Abstract

Hydrogen energy is a truly renewable and clean energy source. Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) is the most promising technology for green hydrogen production currently. In the AWE process, the critical part of an alkaline electrolyzer is the membrane, which acts to conduct hydroxide ions and block gases. However, developing low area resistance, high bubble point pressure and highly stable membrane for high‐performance AWE is still a challenge. Herein, porous skeleton‐supported composite membranes via the blade‐coating method for advanced AWE are prepared. The porous composite membranes, besides having hydrophilic surface, also show ultra‐low area resistance (≈0.15 Ω cm2), ultra‐high bubble point pressure (≈27 bar) and excellent mechanical properties (tensile stress, ≈14 MPa). By using commercial catalysts, the composite membranes exhibit a current density of up to 1.9 A cm−2 at the voltage of 2 V in 30 wt% KOH solution at 80 °C and achieve ultra‐high H2 purity (up to 99.996%) when applied in AWE. Notably, the composite membrane can operate for more than 1600 h without performance attenuation, demonstrating excellent stability. This study opens up the feasibility of preparing high‐performance AWE membranes for large‐scale hydrogen production.

Best Practices in Membrane Electrode Assembly for Water Electrolysis

“…Liao et al reported an improvement in the ion conductivity and dissolved hydrogen permeability of a skeleton-supported composite membrane (SSCM) by controlling the dispersion and pores of ZrO 2 nanoparticles, enhancing wettability and microstructure. The SSCM, by coupling the PSF, ZrO 2 nanoparticles, and polypropylene (PP) mesh, was fabricated via a blade coating method and the following pre-evaporation step . The pre-evaporation step was utilized to create a skin layer, enhancing the bubble point pressure of the SCCM.…”

“…The SSCM, by coupling the PSF, ZrO 2 nanoparticles, and polypropylene (PP) mesh, was fabricated via a blade coating method and the following pre-evaporation step. 113 The pre-evaporation step was utilized to create a skin layer, enhancing the bubble point pressure of the SCCM. Consequently, the SSCM achieved an ultrahigh bubble point pressure of 27 bar and ultralow area resistance of 0.15 Ω cm 2 .…”

A Review of the Recent Advances in Composite Membranes for Hydrogen Generation Technologies

“…In addition, especially for industrial applications, meeting crucial requirements such as high durability and enhanced performance as well as high gas purity is necessary. However, the physical and electrochemical assets of the membrane can be enhanced by forming composites that contain either polymer composites or both organic and inorganic compounds. − …”

“…However, the physical and electrochemical assets of the membrane can be enhanced by forming composites that contain either polymer composites or both organic and inorganic compounds. 16 − 19 …”