• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.265-273
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• 2017

Solid-state alkaline water electrolysis is a promising method for producing hydrogen using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. Despite active investigations of component development for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE), understanding of the device performance remains insufficient for the commercialization of AEMWE. The study of assembled AEMWE devices is essential to validate the activity and stability of developed catalysts and electrolyte membranes, as well as the dependence of the performance on the device operating conditions. Herein, we review the development of catalysts and membranes reported by different AEMWE companies such as ACTA S.p.A. and Proton OnSite and device operating conditions that significantly affect the AEMWE performance. For example, $CuCoO_x$ and $LiCoO_2$ have been studied as oxygen evolution catalysts by Acta S.p.A and Proton OnSite, respectively. Anion exchange membranes based on polyethylene and polysulfone are also investigated for use as electrolyte membranes in AEMWE devices. In addition, operation factors, including temperature, electrolyte concentration and acidity, and solution feed methods, are reviewed in terms of their influence on the AEMWE performance. The reaction rate of water splitting generally increases with increase in operating temperature because of the facilitated kinetics and higher ion conductivity. The effect of solution feeding configuration on the AEMWE performance is explained, with a brief discussion on current AEMWE performance and device durability.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.283-291
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• 2022

Hydrogen energy has received much attention as a solution to the supply of renewable energy and to respond to climate change. Hydrogen is the most suitable candidate of storing unused electric power in a large-capacity long cycle. Among the technologies for producing hydrogen, water electrolysis is known as an eco-friendly hydrogen production technology that produces hydrogen without carbon dioxide generation by water splitting reaction. Membranes in water electrolysis system physically separate the anode and the cathode, but also prevent mixing of generated hydrogen and oxygen gases and facilitate ion transfer to complete circuit. In particular, the key to next-generation anion exchange membrane that can compensate for the shortcomings of conventional water electrolysis technologies is to develop high performance anion exchange membrane. Many studies are conducted to have high ion conductivity and excellent durability in an alkaline environment simultaneously, and various materials are being searched. In this review, we will discuss the research trends and points to move forward by looking at the research on anion exchange membranes based on commercial polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) block copolymers.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 2016

The hydrogen has been recognized as a clean, nonpolluting and unlimited energy source that can solve fossil fuel depletion and environmental pollution problems at the same time. Water electrolysis has been the most attractive technology in a way to produce hydrogen because it does not emit any pollutants compared to other method such as natural gas steam reforming and coal gasification etc. In order to improve efficiency and durability of the water electrolysis, comprehensive studies for highly active and stable electrocatalysts have been performed. The platinum group metal (PGM; Pt, Ru, Pd, Rh, etc.) electrocatalysts indicated a higher activity and stability compared with other transition metals in harsh condition such as acid solution. It is necessary to develop inexpensive non-noble metal catalysts such as transition metal oxides because the PGM catalysts is expensive materials with insufficient it's reserves. The optimization of operating parameter and the components is also important factor to develop an efficient water electrolysis cell. In this study, we optimized the operating parameter and components such as the type of AEM and density of gas diffusion layer (GDL) and the temperature/concentration of the electrolyte solution for the anion exchange membrane water electrolysis cell (AEMWEC) with the transition metal oxide alloy anode and cathode electrocatalysts. The maximum current density was $345.8mA/cm^2$ with parameter and component optimization.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.715-722
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• 2022

Pt-Fe/carbon black nanocatalysts were prepared by spontaneous reduction reaction of Platinum(II) acetylacetonate and Iron(II) acetylacetonate in a nucleophilic solvent and they were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDS), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) surface area analysis and anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis test station. The distribution of the Pt and Fe nanoparticles on carbon black was observed by TEM, and the loading weight of Pt-Fe nanocatalysts on the carbon black was measured by TGA. Elemental ratio of Fe:Pt was estimated by EDS and it was found that elemental ratio of Pt and Fe was changed in the range of 1:0 to 0:1, and the loading weight of Pt-Fe nanoparticles on the carbon black was 5.95-6.78 wt%. Specific surface area was greatly reduced because Pt-Fe nanocatalysts blocked the pores. I-V characteristics were estimated.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.369-376
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• 2022

In this study, the stability of an anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) cell was evaluated in an on-off cycling operation with respect to an applied electric bias, i.e., a current density of 500 mA cm^-2, and an open circuit. The ohmic and polarization resistances of the system were monitored during operation (~800 h) using electrochemical impedance spectra. Specific consideration was given to the ohmic resistance of the cell, especially that of the membrane under on-off cycling conditions, by consistently feeding the cell with KOH solution. Owing to an excess feed solution, a momentary increase in the polarization resistance was observed immediately after the open-circuit. The excess feed solution was mostly recovered by subjecting the cell to the applied electric bias. Stability tests on the AEMWE cell under on-off cycling with continuous feeding even under an open circuit can guarantee long-term stability by avoiding an irreversible increase in ohmic and polarization resistances.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.180-186
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• 2022

The production of hydrogen via water electrolysis (i.e., green hydrogen) using renewable energy is key to the development of a sustainable society. However, most current electrocatalysts are based on expensive precious metals and require the use of highly purified water in the electrolyte. We demonstrated the preparation of a non-precious metal catalyst based on CuCo₂O₄ (CCO) via simple electrodeposition. Further, an optimization process for electrodeposition potential, solution concentration and electrodeposition method was develop for a catalyst-substrate integrated electrode, which indicated the highly electrocatalytic performance of the material in electrochemical tests and when applied to an anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.285-292
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• 2021

To study the effect of the mixture ratio of Ni-Pt nanocatalysts on water electrolysis characteristics in anion exchange membrane system, Ni-Pt nanocatalysts were loaded on carbon black by using a spontaneous reduction reaction of acetylacetonate compounds. The loading weight of Ni-Pt nanocatalysts on the carbon black was measured by thermogravimetric analyzer and the elemental ratio of Ni and Pt was estimated by energy dispersive x-ray analyzer. It was found that the loading weight of Ni-Pt nanoparticles was 5.36-5.95 wt%, and the loading weight increased with increasing Pt wt%. As the Ni-Pt loading weight increased, the specific surface area decreased, because Ni-Pt nanoparticles block the pores of carbon black. It was confirmed by BET analysis and dynamic vapor sorption analysis. I-V characteristics were estimated.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.371-383
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• 2021

Anion exchange membranes have been used for water electrolysis, which can produce hydrogen, and fuel cells, which can generate electrical energy using hydrogen fuel. Anion exchange membranes operate based on hydroxide ion (OH^-) conduction under alkaline conditions. However, since the anion exchange membrane shows relatively low ion conductivity and alkaline stability, there is still a limit to its commercialization in water electrolysis and fuel cells. To address these issues, it is important to develop novel anion exchange membrane materials by rationally designing a polymer structure. In particular, the polymer structure and synthetic method need to be controlled. By doing so, for polymers, the physical properties, ionic conductivity, and alkaline stability can be maintained. Among many anion exchange membranes, poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) is commercially available and easily accessible. In addition, the PPO has relatively high mechanical and chemical stability compared to other polymers. In this review, we introduce the recent development strategy and characteristics of PPO-based polymer materials used in anion exchange membranes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2010

The feasibility of lead removal by electrolytic coprecipitation was investigated. Electrolysis bath was divided into anode and cathode chamber with anion exchange resin filled membrane. Sea water was electrolyzed and pH of the electrolyte in cathode chamber was increased. Consequently it induced the formation of $Mg(OH)_2$ and $CaCO_3$. The colloidal type precipitates, hich have high surface area, adsorbed lead ions in sea water and coprecipitated. Sea water electrolyses were conducted at different current density. Concentrations of Mg, Ca and Pb in the solution were measured with titration and ASV method. Morphology and crystallography were analyzed with SEM, EDS and XRD. As pH and current density increased, most of lead ions in the sea water were successfully removed.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.412-419
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• 2023

Anion exchange membrane electrolysis is considered a promising next-generation hydrogen production technology that can produce low-cost, clean hydrogen. However, anion exchange membrane electrolysis technology is in its early stages of development and requires intensive research on electrodes, which are a key component of the catalyst-system interface. In this study, we optimized the pressure conditions of the hot-pressing process to manufacture cobalt oxide electrodes for the development of a high uniformity and high adhesion electrode production process for the oxygen evolution reaction. As the pressure increased, the reduction of pores within the electrode and increased densification of catalytic particles led to the formation of a uniform electrode surface. The cobalt oxide electrode optimized for pressure conditions exhibited improved catalytic activity and durability. The optimized electrode was used as the anode in an AEMWE single cell, exhibiting a current density of 1.53 A cm^-2 at a cell voltage of 1.85 V. In a durability test conducted for 100 h at a constant current density of 500 mA cm^-2, it demonstrated excellent durability with a low degradation rate of 15.9 mV kh^-1, maintaining 99% of its initial performance.