A review of alkaline solid polymer membrane in the application of AEM electrolyzer: Materials and characterization

Electrochemical water splitting is one of the practical systems for green hydrogen production. This hydrogen processing is sustainable by the use of a water electrolysis cell known as an electrolyzer. In recent decades, the alkaline electrolyzer and the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer have entered the advanced commercial level for the hydrogen processing industry. Unfortunately, both techniques have many crucial issues, such as the handling of hydrogen, large structure, and expensive materials needed during the construction of the cell. Anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzers have been recommended to address the worst of previous electrolyzer types due to the ability to use non-platinum and non-Nafion membrane materials, high hydrogen storage density, and the ability to build compact micro-cells on a large cell scale. A solid polymer alkaline membrane is a key component that influences the efficiency of the AEM electrolyzer, which reacts as an anion exchange membrane (AEM membrane). AEM membrane serves as an anode and cathode separator, ion transfer pathway, and electron flow barriers. This review paper explores polymeric materials and the characterization of an alkaline solid polymeric membrane used in an AEM electrolyzer. Several polymeric membranes that have been investigated by researchers for this application have been discussed. Critical characterizations such as ion exchange capability, ionic conductivity, chemical and mechanical stability, and cell performance durability are comprehensively addressed to guide future research and development in an alkaline solid polymeric membrane for application in an AEM electrolyzer. Highlights An overview of materials and characterization assessment of alkaline solid polymeric membrane in AEM electrolyzer is discussed. The progress of polymeric materials for alkaline solid polymeric membrane modification in the AEM electrolyzer is presented. Critical characterization of the alkaline solid polymeric membrane is described, including the ion exchange capacity, ionic conductivity, chemical and mechanical stability, and durability of cell performance.