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A rationally thin composite membrane with differentiated pore structure for industrial-scale alkaline water electrolysis

Author

Listed:
  • Jian You

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Jinyu Lu

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Chuanli Liu

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Wei Wang

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Yongzhao Li

    (Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory)

  • Yuanzhong Gao

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Longmin Liu

    (Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory)

  • Xiangbo Luo

    (Fuzhou University
    Ltd)

  • Xiaojun Bao

    (Fuzhou University
    Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory)

  • Huaiyin Chen

    (Fuzhou University
    Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory)

  • Jianying Huang

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Yuekun Lai

    (Fuzhou University
    Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory)

  • Meihua Wu

    (Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory)

  • Weilong Cai

    (Fuzhou University
    Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory)

Abstract

Alkaline water electrolysis is one of the most prospective technologies for large-scale production of green hydrogen. Nevertheless, current porous membranes face the problem of weak ion transport or poor gas barrier performance. Here, we demonstrate a facile yet massive two-step casting and phase separation strategy to design a thin, asymmetric pore-structure modulated composite membrane for efficient, safe, and industrial-grade alkaline water electrolysis. The prepared composite membrane shows better electrolytic performance (1.71 V at 1 A cm−2) and stability (working for 6352 h). In addition, an industrial-grade electrolyzer equipped with composite membranes exhibits higher hydrogen production efficiency (1.03 Nm3·h−1), H2 purity (99.9%), and faster dynamic response (less than 20 min) compared to mainstream commercial membranes. Ultimately, we propose a semi-empirical model based on the operational characteristics of an electrolyzer equipped with composite membranes and predicting its matching behavior with dynamic renewable energy sources. This work explores the viability of manufacturing high-performance alkaline water electrolysis membranes for green hydrogen production under industrial conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Jian You & Jinyu Lu & Chuanli Liu & Wei Wang & Yongzhao Li & Yuanzhong Gao & Longmin Liu & Xiangbo Luo & Xiaojun Bao & Huaiyin Chen & Jianying Huang & Yuekun Lai & Meihua Wu & Weilong Cai, 2025. "A rationally thin composite membrane with differentiated pore structure for industrial-scale alkaline water electrolysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60985-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60985-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kiane Kleijne & Mark A. J. Huijbregts & Florian Knobloch & Rosalie Zelm & Jelle P. Hilbers & Heleen Coninck & Steef V. Hanssen, 2024. "Worldwide greenhouse gas emissions of green hydrogen production and transport," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 9(9), pages 1139-1152, September.
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    4. Lei Wan & Maobin Pang & Junfa Le & Ziang Xu & Hangyu Zhou & Qin Xu & Baoguo Wang, 2022. "Oriented intergrowth of the catalyst layer in membrane electrode assembly for alkaline water electrolysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Aaron Hodges & Anh Linh Hoang & George Tsekouras & Klaudia Wagner & Chong-Yong Lee & Gerhard F. Swiegers & Gordon G. Wallace, 2022. "A high-performance capillary-fed electrolysis cell promises more cost-competitive renewable hydrogen," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    6. Heping Xie & Zhiyu Zhao & Tao Liu & Yifan Wu & Cheng Lan & Wenchuan Jiang & Liangyu Zhu & Yunpeng Wang & Dongsheng Yang & Zongping Shao, 2022. "A membrane-based seawater electrolyser for hydrogen generation," Nature, Nature, vol. 612(7941), pages 673-678, December.
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