H2nextAEM™ membranes were developed specifically for use in hot and strong alkaline environments. They represent the only commercially viable option for the evolution of alkaline membrane electrolysis systems. The high hydroxide ion conductivity enables high efficiency and energy density, which lead to overall OpEx and CapEx reductions, while the chemical and mechanical integrity leads to longer operational usefulness.
An AEM electrolysis solution combines the benefits of PEM and alkaline systems by allowing the use of non-noble catalysts while achieving energy densities and efficiencies comparable to PEM technology. Today, commercially available membranes lack sufficient alkaline stability, which has limited the widespread adoption of AEM in electrolysis applications.
The cost of precious metals such as platinum and iridium dwarf those of commodity metals such as nickel and iron. AEMs will unlock the potential for massive cost savings and scalability currently limited by precious metal supply. The charts highlight just how extreme this difference is and the reductions in catalyst cost possible.
AEMs are solid polymer electrolyte membranes that contain positive ionic groups (typically quaternary ammonium (QA) functional groups such as poly-N+Me3) and mobile negatively charged anions.