Reinforced poly(dibenzyl-co-terphenyl piperidinium) membranes for highly durable anion-exchange membrane water electrolysis at 2 A cm−2 for 1000 h

Low-cost anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) is an attractive technology to address global energy shortages and environmental issues. However, AEMWE remains far from industrial application because of its poor performance and durability, issues that are associated with a lack of qualified anion exchange membranes (AEMs). Here, we describe the use of reinforced membrane technology in AEMs to prepare robust membranes, and systematically explore the effect of support-layer and polymer-membrane thicknesses on water electrolysis. Due to the excellent electrochemical properties of filled poly(dibenzyl-co-terphenyl piperidinium) polymers, the prepared reinforced membrane displays outstanding mechanical properties, with a tensile strength > 112 MPa, and an elongation at break > 84 %, conductivity (96.3 mS cm−1), and dimensional stability (swelling ratio < 50 % at 80 °C). More importantly, AEMWE based on the reinforced membrane simultaneously can achieve an exceptional current density of 4.86 A cm−2@2.0 V and in-situ durability under 1 and 2 A cm−2 at 60 °C for 1000 h with a voltage decay rate of 0.02 mV h−1 and 0.1 mV h−1, respectively. These findings provide insight into the development of AEMWEs using reinforced membranes.