Locking in the Future: A Robust Method for Green Hydrogen

Clean hydrogen production via pure water-fed Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolysis has long shown promise as an alternative to acidic systems. However, the technology has struggled to leave the starting blocks. The primary culprits are the suboptimal performance of the ionomer—the polymer that conducts ions—and a tendency for the catalyst layer to separate or delaminate during manufacturing, a process often disrupted by the Marangoni effect.

In a significant breakthrough, researchers have developed a strategy to chemically lock the catalyst in place. They employed in-situ covalent anchoring, essentially creating strong chemical bonds that tether the catalyst within a cross-linked ionomer network. This prevents the components from drifting apart under stress.

Using advanced synchrotron X-ray three-dimensional computed tomography, the team visualised this internal architecture. They confirmed that the interconnected network not only secures the catalyst but also substantially improves the transport of mass through the system. The 'covalently locked' interfacial bonding effectively stops the layers from peeling apart.

The results are robust. Under rigorous testing conditions using pure water, this immobilised catalyst layer operated for over 1,800 hours with a negligible decay rate. Achieving a current density of 2.55 A cm^-2, this approach offers a new paradigm for fabricating mechanically tough devices essential for a green energy future.