Research Projects

Electrochemical devices such as anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) and CO₂ reduction electrolyzers (AEM-CO₂RRs) are critical technologies for sustainable hydrogen production and carbon recycling. However, their advancement is limited by the poor chemical and mechanical stability of currently available anion exchange membranes (AEMs), especially under highly alkaline conditions. These limitations include degradation of cationic sites, membrane swelling, and low hydroxide conductivity, all of which compromise device performance and lifespan. Addressing these challenges requires the development of new AEMs with improved structural stability, ionic conductivity, and resistance to alkaline degradation. The primary objective of this research is to design, synthesize, and evaluate a series of branched aromatic polymers for use as AEMs in AEMWE and AEM-CO₂RR applications. The proposed membranes aim to achieve high alkaline stability, enhanced mechanical strength, and high hydroxide ion conductivity, while maintaining compatibility with non-noble metal catalysts. The project also aims to understand how polymer structure and branching influence membrane performance under operational conditions. The central hypothesis is that branched polymers incorporating β-proton-free, rigid, and sterically protected cationic sites can suppress Hofmann elimination and nucleophilic substitution, thereby improving long-term alkaline stability. At the same time, the introduction of controlled branching and ion-conductive moieties is expected to facilitate ion transport and maintain membrane integrity. Monomers such as cyclooctatetraene, piperidone, quinuclidine, triazatruxene, and bipyridine will be used to achieve these design features. The major experimental tasks are structured into five work plans. Four synthetic work plans will focus on the development of different branched polymer architectures using acid-catalyzed polycondensation reactions, followed by quaternization. The fifth work plan will involve detailed characterization and application testing. The synthesized membranes will be analyzed using FTIR, NMR, GPC, SEM, TEM, SAXS, TGA, DSC, DMA, and UTM to determine their structural, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties. Electrochemical characterization will include measurements of ion exchange capacity, hydroxide conductivity (via EIS), water uptake, dimensional stability, and alkaline durability. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) will be fabricated using the optimized membranes and tested in AEMWE and AEM-CO₂RR configurations with appropriate gas diffusion layers and catalyst layers. Performance metrics such as current-voltage characteristics, impedance response, and long-term stability under operating conditions will be evaluated. This study is expected to deliver AEMs with superior durability and conductivity, suitable for use in water electrolysis and CO₂ electroreduction. The project will provide insight into the relationship between polymer structure, cationic site stability, and ion transport behaviour. This knowledge will contribute to the broader understanding of ionomer behavior under alkaline conditions and support future efforts in membrane design. The developed membranes are also expected to reduce the reliance on expensive noble metal catalysts, improving the cost-effectiveness and scalability of electrolyzer technologies. Overall, the proposed work has the potential to significantly advance the field of electrochemical energy conversion and contribute to the development of sustainable hydrogen and carbon utilization systems.