Efficient and Durable Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis for a Commercially Available Electrolyzer Stack using Alkaline Electrolyte

A low-cost anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) stack with good performance and durability is demonstrated in this study. The configuration of an AEMWE single cell, composed of an etched copper-cobalt oxide anode (eCCO) by a simple chemical etching and a polycarbazole-based anion exchange membrane (QPC-TMA) was optimized through various single-cell studies. The large-sized three-cell AEMWE stack (total active area of 190.9 cm(2)) with eCCO and QPC-TMA demonstrated durability with a degradation rate of 8.5 mV kh(-1) as well as an energy conversion efficiency of 75% for 2000 h in 0.1 M KOH at 45 degrees C. Moreover, the production rate of H-2 is reported 40.4 L h(-1), thereby being equivalent to electricity produced by H-2 of 44 kWh kg(-1). To the best of our knowledge, this AEMWE stack has the highest performance and durability among the reported AEMWE stacks using non-platinum-group metal anodes and noncommercial membranes.

Automated summary

A low-cost anion exchange membrane water electrolysis stack with good performance and durability is demonstrated in this study. By optimizing the configuration and materials of the single cell, high energy conversion efficiency and durability have been achieved, which shows potential for future applications.