Ion-Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells

Dear Colleagues,

Ion-exchange membranes are key components in the development of fuel cells, electrolysis, water treatment, and dialysis. Despite the dramatic differences in the routes of technological realizations and the status of commercialization, the mechanistic fundamentals remain unchanged, i.e., transporting certain ions while blocking other ions or neutral molecules. Commercial success has been achieved in numerous technological protocols while others struggle at the stage of development in the lab. The impacts of the latter at a global scale deserve continuous investment both experimentally and theoretically. For instance, cation-exchange membranes for the operation of fuel cells have been commercially available since the discovery of Nafion in the late 1960s. In the meantime, though they are cleaner and more environmentally friendly, alkaline fuel cells enabled by anion-exchange membranes are experiencing setbacks because of their limited chemical stability and reduced ionic conductivity. One of the major tasks is still the discovery of optimized materials at a relatively low cost. Experiment–theory joint studies are boosting research in this area. These issues are to be addressed in the following 5–10 years via close cooperation between experimental synthesis/characterization and the construction of theoretical models.

Our Special Issue is dedicated to collecting all research works involving synthesis, characterization, device-making, and theoretical studies in the field of the anion-exchange process in a membrane. The applications of studied membranes include, but are not limited to, fuel cells, water electrolysis, and water purification. Informatics in the discovery of novel material structures is also welcome.

Dr. Dengpan Dong
Guest Editor

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