Research Projects

Hydrogen (H2) is a viable alternative to fossil fuels, and water electrolysis is the most convenient method for producing green hydrogen. Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) and proton exchange membrane water electrolysers (PEMWE) are widely used, but their disadvantages include low operating current density and power consumption. AEM-WE, which consists of a polymer backbone with cationic groups, can overcome these disadvantages and provide low ohmic resistance and high H2 purity. It can also be used in alkaline working conditions, reducing operational expenditure. AEM-WE consists of bipolar plates, gas diffusion layers, catalyst layers, and an anion exchange membrane (AEM). However, preventing the degradation of cationic groups due to hydroxide anions is a challenge. The focus is on synthesis of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) with high IEC, lifetime, chemical, and mechanical stability, while using cost-effective PGM electrodes.