Transformative progress in anion-exchange membranes for fuel-cell technology

Abstract

Anion-exchange-membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) have gained significant attention in recent years due to their utilization of inexpensive metals. However, the conductivity of anion-exchange membranes in fuel cells still falls short when compared to the extensively researched proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Researchers at large are actively working towards the advancement of anion-exchange membranes that possess superior ionic conductivity, alkaline resistance, and mechanical stability. This work attempts to comprehensively review the recent transformative progress in attaining efficient anion-exchange membranes through both experimentation and computational approaches. The review delves into different aspects of anion-exchange-membrane performance, such as polymer structure, pendant group modifications, morphological traits, water management, etc., to ensure high ionic conductivity and alkaline stability. Additionally, the review explores diverse strategies to protect the cationic functional groups to address the concern of deterioration. To understand the role of pivotal factors, insights are provided into the design of anion-exchange membranes with emphasis on high conductivity, enriched by summarizing recent advancements, including molecular studies. The alkaline stability and hydration control of anion-exchange membranes are key parameters to focus on for exceptional performance potential in forthcoming applications.