Project Overview

Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) is a promising technology that enables the use of low-cost, non-PGM catalysts. However, several factors must be better understood and optimized to enable large-scale deployment, one of which is electrolyte selection. In most cases, highly concentrated KOH is required to achieve high AEMWE efficiency. In our previous work, we demonstrated a high-performance AEMWE employing non-PGM catalysts using only 1 M KOH. Operating with pure water or even natural water sources, such as North Saskatchewan River water, would be a more attractive option, as it could significantly reduce costs associated with KOH handling and corrosion. In this project, we aim to realize this concept through the application of novel materials while simultaneously gaining deeper insight into how electrolyte composition influences cell performance.