Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis for low-cost green hydrogen production (AEM-H2)

英国氢能战略制定了一项雄心勃勃的计划，到2030年发展吉瓦规模的低碳氢生产，这是支持到2050年向净零过渡的关键一步。未来发展gw规模的绿色制氢需要大幅降低电解技术的成本。现有的质子交换膜（PEM）电解槽存在技术缺陷，并且受到昂贵的Nafion膜和电催化剂的限制。阴离子交换膜电解是最有前途的电解技术之一。然而，推进AEM技术还需要基础研究，特别是在碳氢化合物膜和电催化剂的开发方面，这些电催化剂可以催化系统的性能。该项目的总体目标是开发一种高性能、低成本和耐用的阴离子交换膜（AEM）电解技术。一个关键的挑战是制造具有高氢氧化物导电性，良好的机械稳定性和耐高温化学变质的膜。缺乏有效的氢氧化物交换膜是阻碍阴离子交换膜电解槽发展的主要障碍之一。我们将合成新一代聚合物膜，以实现高离子导电性和稳定性。同时，虽然廉价且普遍存在的非贵金属催化剂可以用于AEM电解槽，但目前这些催化剂的活性还有待提高。因此，具有高反应活性和耐久性的新型电催化剂也将被合成，并与新开发的膜和离聚体结合剂配对，形成结构化的膜电极组件。我们的目标是推动具有成本效益的制氢技术的发展，并最终为英国到2050年实现净零排放的计划做出贡献。

The UK Hydrogen Strategy has set out an ambitious plan to develop GW-scale low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030, which is a crucial step to support the transition to net zero by 2050. Future development of GW-scale green hydrogen production requires substantial cost reduction of electrolysis technology. Existing proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers have technical drawbacks and are limited by the expensive Nafion membranes and electrocatalysts. Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis is one of the most promising electrolysis technologies. However, fundamental research is required to advance AEM technology, particularly in the development of hydrocarbon membranes and electrocatalysts which can catalyse the performance of the systems.The overall objective of this project is to develop a high-performance, cost-effective and durable anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis technology. One key challenge is to fabricate membranes with high hydroxide conductivity, good mechanical stability and resistance to chemical deterioration at high temperatures. The lack of effective hydroxide exchange membranes is one of the major obstacles to the development of anion exchange membrane water electrolyser. We will synthesise new generation of polymer membranes to achieve high ionic conductivity and stability. At the same time, although inexpensive and ubiquitous non-precious metal catalysts can be used in AEM electrolysers, currently the activity of these catalysts could be improved. Hence, new electrocatalysts with high reactivity and durability will also be synthesized and paired with newly developed membranes and ionomer binders to form structured membrane electrode assemblies. Our ambition is to advance the development of cost-effective hydrogen generation technologies and ultimately will contribute to UK's plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.