Recent advances in anion exchange membranes

Abstract

Anion exchange membrane (AEM), as a kind of key membrane materials, has shown great application potential in many electrochemical fields, and remarkable progress has been made in related research in recent years. In this paper, the research status of AEM is reviewed, including its material design, preparation method, performance optimization and application in the fields of hydrogen production by electrolytic water, fuel cell and water treatment. In terms of material design, new polymer skeleton structures are emerging to regulate the stability of ion conduction channels and membranes by introducing specific functional groups or changing the molecular chain structure. The preparation methods have been gradually expanded from the traditional solution casting method to more advanced technologies, such as interfacial polymerization and electrostatic spinning, which effectively improve the microstructure and property uniformity of the film. Performance optimization focuses on improving ion conductivity, reducing membrane swelling rate and enhancing chemical stability, and a variety of modification strategies are developed and applied. Despite the achievements made so far, there are still some challenges, such as the lack of long-term stability in highly alkaline environments. Future research needs to further explore new material systems and preparation processes in order to promote the wide application and sustainable development of AEM technology in energy, environmental protection and other fields.