Electrochemical hydrogen production through anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE): Recent progress and associated challenges in hydrogen production

Abstract

Hydrogen (H₂) is developing as a promising renewable energy carrier with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) provides a promising solution to the current human energy crisis by combining the advantages of both alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) and proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) and can be coupled with renewable energy sources to produce green H₂. However, the AEMWE technology remains in the developmental stage and needs further research to compete with AWE, PEMWE, and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) regarding performance and durability. The current review discusses the recent progress of AWE, PEMWE, SOEC, and AEMWE with their associated challenges and drawbacks. A state-of-the-art critical analysis on anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with their mechanical properties, PGM and non-PGM based electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the performance of different electrolytes with non-PGM electrocatalysts in the AEMWE and the effect of various operating parameters such as temperature, pressure, and electrolyte flow rate on the performance of the AEMWE system are presented in detail. The techno-economic and environmental assessment of AEMWE technology for H₂ production indicates that composite mixed matrix AEMs which could work at high temperature and pressure will provide sustainable opportunities in the automobile industry.