Experimental investigation of anion exchange membrane electrolysis at high KOH concentrations

This study investigates the performance and challenges of anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis at high potassium hydroxide (KOH) concentrations, a promising method for sustainable hydrogen production. The research demonstrated that increasing KOH concentration enhances the efficiency of the electrolysis process by reducing the voltage required to achieve specific current densities. The optimal KOH concentration range was found to be between 8 M and 10 M per liter of water. However, operating at these concentrations presents significant challenges, including material degradation and increased heat generation, which impact the durability and stability of the system components. The experiments were performed using an anion-exchange membrane installed in a laboratory fixture originally designed for PEM fuel-cell testing. Thus, the PEM-derived architecture refers to the hardware platform rather than to the membrane chemistry. The study focuses on the influence of KOH concentration within this AEM configuration and does not attempt to establish the general superiority of AEM water electrolysis over conventional PEM water electrolysis. The findings underscore the need for further research into more robust materials, improved thermal management, and long-term stability to optimize AEM electrolysis for industrial applications. These insights contribute to the ongoing development of high-performance electrochemical systems for sustainable hydrogen production.