IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v394y2025ics0306261925009067.html

Review on crossover minimization and catalytic layer-promoted water dissociation in bipolar membranes

Author

Listed:
  • Meng, Fanxu
  • Cheng, Dongbo
  • Lin, Meng
  • Zuo, Kuichang
  • Zhang, Zishuai Bill

Abstract

Bipolar membranes (BPMs) present a promising solution to reduce the ion and molecule crossover without substantial increases in the full cell voltage within water and CO2 electrolyzers. The catalytic layer, positioned between an anion and cation exchange membrane within a BPM, is considered as the pivotal component influencing the water dissociation (WD) process and therefore the transmembrane voltage drop. Delving into the catalytic layer, this Review dissects the impact of descriptors, including thickness, electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, pKa, oxygenated functional groups, and surface hydroxyl coverage, on WD by coupling reported studies with the Multiphysics model analysis. We observed that the role of oxygenated functional groups towards WD is highly controversial and lacks sufficient experimental evidence. The Review emphasizes the significance of collaborative efforts to develop standardized protocols for BPM fabrications and measurements and advocates the establishment of systematic guidelines on optimizing the catalytic layer to advance BPM technology in the energy field.

Suggested Citation

  • Meng, Fanxu & Cheng, Dongbo & Lin, Meng & Zuo, Kuichang & Zhang, Zishuai Bill, 2025. "Review on crossover minimization and catalytic layer-promoted water dissociation in bipolar membranes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 394(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:394:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925009067
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126176
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261925009067
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126176?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ziang Xu & Lei Wan & Yiwen Liao & Maobin Pang & Qin Xu & Peican Wang & Baoguo Wang, 2023. "Continuous ammonia electrosynthesis using physically interlocked bipolar membrane at 1000 mA cm−2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Mengran Li & Eric W. Lees & Wen Ju & Siddhartha Subramanian & Kailun Yang & Justin C. Bui & Hugo-Pieter Iglesias van Montfort & Maryam Abdinejad & Joost Middelkoop & Peter Strasser & Adam Z. Weber & A, 2024. "Local ionic transport enables selective PGM-free bipolar membrane electrode assembly," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Lihaokun Chen & Qiucheng Xu & Sebastian Z. Oener & Kevin Fabrizio & Shannon W. Boettcher, 2022. "Design principles for water dissociation catalysts in high-performance bipolar membranes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Ke Xie & Rui Kai Miao & Adnan Ozden & Shijie Liu & Zhu Chen & Cao-Thang Dinh & Jianan Erick Huang & Qiucheng Xu & Christine M. Gabardo & Geonhui Lee & Jonathan P. Edwards & Colin P. O’Brien & Shannon , 2022. "Bipolar membrane electrolyzers enable high single-pass CO2 electroreduction to multicarbon products," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Carlos G. Rodellar & José M. Gisbert-Gonzalez & Francisco Sarabia & Beatriz Roldan Cuenya & Sebastian Z. Oener, 2024. "Ion solvation kinetics in bipolar membranes and at electrolyte–metal interfaces," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 9(5), pages 548-558, May.
    6. Cheng Zhong & Bin Liu & Jia Ding & Xiaorui Liu & Yuwei Zhong & Yuan Li & Changbin Sun & Xiaopeng Han & Yida Deng & Naiqin Zhao & Wenbin Hu, 2020. "Decoupling electrolytes towards stable and high-energy rechargeable aqueous zinc–manganese dioxide batteries," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 5(6), pages 440-449, June.
    7. Xunyu Lu & Chuan Zhao, 2015. "Electrodeposition of hierarchically structured three-dimensional nickel–iron electrodes for efficient oxygen evolution at high current densities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-7, May.
    8. Joshua A. Rabinowitz & Matthew W. Kanan, 2020. "The future of low-temperature carbon dioxide electrolysis depends on solving one basic problem," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-3, December.
    9. Muhammad A. Shehzad & Aqsa Yasmin & Xiaolin Ge & Zijuan Ge & Kaiyu Zhang & Xian Liang & Jianjun Zhang & Geng Li & Xinle Xiao & Bin Jiang & Liang Wu & Tongwen Xu, 2021. "Shielded goethite catalyst that enables fast water dissociation in bipolar membranes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ziang Xu & Lei Wan & Yiwen Liao & Maobin Pang & Qin Xu & Peican Wang & Baoguo Wang, 2023. "Continuous ammonia electrosynthesis using physically interlocked bipolar membrane at 1000 mA cm−2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Xiaojie She & Lingling Zhai & Yifei Wang & Pei Xiong & Molly Meng-Jung Li & Tai-Sing Wu & Man Chung Wong & Xuyun Guo & Zhihang Xu & Huaming Li & Hui Xu & Ye Zhu & Shik Chi Edman Tsang & Shu Ping Lau, 2024. "Pure-water-fed, electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to ethylene beyond 1,000 h stability at 10 A," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 81-91, January.
    3. Mengran Li & Eric W. Lees & Wen Ju & Siddhartha Subramanian & Kailun Yang & Justin C. Bui & Hugo-Pieter Iglesias van Montfort & Maryam Abdinejad & Joost Middelkoop & Peter Strasser & Adam Z. Weber & A, 2024. "Local ionic transport enables selective PGM-free bipolar membrane electrode assembly," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Wei Liu & Yang Lv & Honghui Ou & Jiqiu Zhang & Yuxi Ren & Mengyang Xia & Yang Li & He Li & Xiaoling Ren & Huagui Hu & Guidong Yang, 2025. "Full runner electrolyzer stack for industrial-current-density NOx−-mediated ammonia synthesis from air and water," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Weisheng Yu & Zirui Zhang & Fen Luo & Xiaojiang Li & Fanglin Duan & Yan Xu & Zhiru Liu & Xian Liang & Yaoming Wang & Liang Wu & Tongwen Xu, 2024. "Tailoring high-performance bipolar membrane for durable pure water electrolysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    6. Huiying Deng & Tingting Liu & Wenshan Zhao & Jundong Wang & Yuesheng Zhang & Shuzhen Zhang & Yu Yang & Chao Yang & Wenzhi Teng & Zhuo Chen & Gengfeng Zheng & Fengwang Li & Yaqiong Su & Jingshu Hui & Y, 2024. "Substituent tuning of Cu coordination polymers enables carbon-efficient CO2 electroreduction to multi-carbon products," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    7. Shashwati C. Cunha & Joaquin Resasco, 2023. "Maximizing single-pass conversion does not result in practical readiness for CO2 reduction electrolyzers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-6, December.
    8. Yong Zuo & Sebastiano Bellani & Michele Ferri & Gabriele Saleh & Dipak V. Shinde & Marilena Isabella Zappia & Rosaria Brescia & Mirko Prato & Luca Trizio & Ivan Infante & Francesco Bonaccorso & Libera, 2023. "High-performance alkaline water electrolyzers based on Ru-perturbed Cu nanoplatelets cathode," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    9. Rachela G. Milazzo & Stefania M. S. Privitera & Silvia Scalese & Salvatore A. Lombardo, 2019. "Effect of Morphology and Mechanical Stability of Nanometric Platinum Layer on Nickel Foam for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-11, August.
    10. Zuraya Angeles-Olvera & Alfonso Crespo-Yapur & Oliver Rodríguez & Jorge L. Cholula-Díaz & Luz María Martínez & Marcelo Videa, 2022. "Nickel-Based Electrocatalysts for Water Electrolysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-35, February.
    11. Darband, Ghasem Barati & Aliofkhazraei, Mahmood & Shanmugam, Sangaraju, 2019. "Recent advances in methods and technologies for enhancing bubble detachment during electrochemical water splitting," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-1.
    12. Guojun Lai & Zequan Zhao & Hao Zhang & Xueting Hu & Bingan Lu & Shuquan Liang & Jiang Zhou, 2025. "In-situ positive electrode-electrolyte interphase construction enables stable Ah-level Zn-MnO2 batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    13. Jiawei Li & Wanqiang Yu & Haifeng Yuan & Yujie Wang & Yuke Chen & Di Jiang & Tong Wu & Kepeng Song & Xuchuan Jiang & Hong Liu & Riming Hu & Man Huang & Weijia Zhou, 2024. "Lattice hydrogen transfer in titanium hydride enhances electrocatalytic nitrate to ammonia conversion," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    14. Wei Liu & Pengbo Zhai & Aowen Li & Bo Wei & Kunpeng Si & Yi Wei & Xingguo Wang & Guangda Zhu & Qian Chen & Xiaokang Gu & Ruifeng Zhang & Wu Zhou & Yongji Gong, 2022. "Electrochemical CO2 reduction to ethylene by ultrathin CuO nanoplate arrays," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    15. Hai-Gang Qin & Yun-Fan Du & Yi-Yang Bai & Fu-Zhi Li & Xian Yue & Hao Wang & Jian-Zhao Peng & Jun Gu, 2023. "Surface-immobilized cross-linked cationic polyelectrolyte enables CO2 reduction with metal cation-free acidic electrolyte," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    16. Yuke Bai & Yu Wu & Xichen Zhou & Yifan Ye & Kaiqi Nie & Jiaou Wang & Miao Xie & Zhixue Zhang & Zhaojun Liu & Tao Cheng & Chuanbo Gao, 2022. "Promoting nickel oxidation state transitions in single-layer NiFeB hydroxide nanosheets for efficient oxygen evolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    17. Xueping Qin & Heine A. Hansen & Karoliina Honkala & Marko M. Melander, 2023. "Cation-induced changes in the inner- and outer-sphere mechanisms of electrocatalytic CO2 reduction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    18. Mengran Li & Erdem Irtem & Hugo-Pieter Iglesias van Montfort & Maryam Abdinejad & Thomas Burdyny, 2022. "Energy comparison of sequential and integrated CO2 capture and electrochemical conversion," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    19. Jingjing Li & Shuqing Fu & Ruijie Wang & Kai Sun & Wenjuan Shi & Yuwen Zeng & Bo Zhang, 2025. "Surface sulfonic-group bonded oxygen evolution catalyst for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    20. Bin Liu & Tuo Wang & Shujie Wang & Gong Zhang & Dazhong Zhong & Tenghui Yuan & Hao Dong & Bo Wu & Jinlong Gong, 2022. "Back-illuminated photoelectrochemical flow cell for efficient CO2 reduction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:394:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925009067. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.