Abstract:
Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) and ionomers in catalytic layers share similar molecular structures. However, they require distinct properties, such as water uptake and gas permeability, in device applications. Additionally, the poor viscosity of the ionomer leads to catalyst detachment, thereby shortening the lifetime of membrane electrode assembly (MEA). To address these challenges, this study proposes
in-situ crosslinking of membranes and ionomers using 1,6-diiodohexane and 1,2-bis(2-iodoethoxy)ethane as crosslinkers. The structural similarity of the crosslinkers enhances the interface compatibility between membrane and catalytic layer. The ethoxy ether bonds in 1,2-bis(2-iodoethoxy)ethane further improve hydrophilicity and gas permeability of ionomer, boosting the performance of electrode. The crosslinked membranes and ionomers exhibit exceptional chemical and dimensional stability in alkaline environments. MEA assembled with crosslinked AEM and ionomer achieves a low cell voltage of 1.66 V at 1.0 A/cm
2 and 60 ℃ with stable operation for over 800 h. These results validate the potential of
in-situ crosslinking and the integrated design of membrane and ionomer for high-performance AEM water electrolysis.