Green hydrogen from anion exchange membrane water electrolysis

Current scientific opinion is that in order for H2 to be used for energy storage on a massive scale requires significant reduction or even complete elimination of the use of critical raw materials including rare PGM metals Pt, Ru and Ir. This has given a tremendous boost to interest in water electrolyzers that use anion exchange membranes. This quickly developing field has made significant advances in terms of performance in the last 24 months. This short review summarizes very recent efforts and the remarkable improvements in single-cell electrolysis activity. The combination of improved anion exchange materials, PGM-free catalysts, and MEA preparation methods each provide a piece to assembling the puzzle. This review finishes with recommendations for further research efforts, required to translate the performance of single laboratory cells to large systems for ramp-up to commercialization.