10.42 – Electrolyzer Membranes

Transition to a hydrogen-based economy has long been considered as an alternative to fossil fuels due to the latter’s environmental impact and unsteady supply. Although much attention and research has been focused on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells to use hydrogen for commercial, residential, and transportation needs, little has been given on polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers to generate this hydrogen. The history, fundamentals, economics, and challenges of polymer electrolyzer membranes for water electrolysis are examined. Finally, for hydrogen to fully supplant fossil fuels nuclear energy will likely be a key primary component; and the use of polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers in nuclear thermal cycles is considered.