Manufacturing Strategies for Metal Organic Framework-Based Membrane Electrode Assemblies in Electrolyzers

Abstract

A metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives have been emerging materials for membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) in water electrolyzers. MOFs offer exceptional atomic-level tunability of metal centers and organic linkers, enabling precise control of active sites for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER). This review presents a brief overview of state-of-the-art MOF synthesis techniques, including in-situ and ex-situ fabrication methods for integrating MOFs into MEAs, emphasizing scalability and interfacial engineering challenges. Strategies such as pyrolysis, defect engineering, composite formation, and multi-metal alloy are also highlighted for performance enhancements in various aspects of MEAs. The review discusses major challenges in terms of limitations of conductivity, interfacial resistance, and stability, to emphasize the importance of rational design and scalable fabrication for practical MEA production and operation. Finally, perspectives on future research directions and techno-economic considerations outline pathways to realize cost-effective, durable, and high-performance MOF-based MEAs for sustainable green hydrogen production.