Research and Development Trend of Electrolyte Membrane Applicable to Water Electrolysis System

Abstract

Hydrogen energy is not only a solution to climate change problems caused by the use of fossil fuels, but also as an alternative source for the industrial power generation and automotive fuel. Among hydrogen production methods, electrolysis of water is considered to be one of the most efficient and practical methods. Compared to that of the fossil fuel production method, the method of producing hydrogen directly from water has no emission of methane and carbon dioxide, which are regarded as global environmental pollutants. In this paper, the alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) and polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), which are one of the hydrogen production methods, were discussed. Recent research trends of hydrocarbon electrolyte membranes and the crossover phenomenon of electrolyte membranes were also described.