Functionalized MXene-reinforced PPO-based nanocomposite anion exchange membranes for high-performance water electrolysis

Kabir, MM; Zaed, MA; Choden, Y; Saidur, R; Tijing, L; Phuntsho, S; Nam, SY; Shon, HK

Functionalized MXene-reinforced PPO-based nanocomposite anion exchange membranes for high-performance water electrolysis

Kabir, MM Zaed, MA Choden, Y Saidur, R Tijing, L Phuntsho, S Nam, SY Shon, HK

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Publisher:: Elsevier BV
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Desalination, 2025, 620, pp. 119643
Issue Date:: 2025-11-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Kabir, MM
dc.contributor.author	Zaed, MA
dc.contributor.author	Choden, Y
dc.contributor.author	Saidur, R
dc.contributor.author	Tijing, L
dc.contributor.author	Phuntsho, S
dc.contributor.author	Nam, SY
dc.contributor.author	Shon, HK
dc.date.accessioned	2025-12-20T04:27:09Z
dc.date.available	2025-12-20T04:27:09Z
dc.date.issued	2025-11-01
dc.identifier.citation	Desalination, 2025, 620, pp. 119643
dc.identifier.issn	0011-9164
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/191041
dc.description.abstract	One of the major challenges in advancing anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) lies in addressing the trade-offs between dimensional stability, electrochemical performance, and mechanical integrity of anion exchange membranes (AEMs). Overcoming these trade-offs is crucial for improving the performance and reliability of AEMWE systems. In this study, we addressed this challenge by developing a series of nanocomposite AEMs by reinforcing quaternized poly(phenylene oxide) (QPPO) with ammonium-functionalized MXene (NH4 +-Ti3C2Tx). The resulting membranes exhibited significant enhancement in dimensional stability, electrochemical performance, mechanical strength, and thermal stability compared to the pristine QPPO membrane. Among the composite AEMs, QPPO-NH4-Mx-3.0 demonstrated the notable overall performance, achieving an impressive hydroxide (OH−) ion conductivity (IC) of 153.2 mS cm−1 at 80 °C-2.5 times higher than that of virgin QPPO. Additionally, the membrane displayed excellent tensile strength of 61.2 MPa, 4 times greater than that of the pristine QPPO, and achieved a peak current density of 2.1 A cm−2 at 2 V in 1 M KOH at 60 °C. The membrane also showcased exceptional alkaline stability, retaining 80.2 % of its initial IC after three weeks of immersion in 1 M KOH. Durability testing further validated its robustness, with a stable operation maintained up to 150 h of electrolysis with a minimal voltage decay rate of 1.5 mV h−1. In , the QPPO-NH4-Mx-3.0 demonstrates substantial promise as a high-performance AEM for advancing AEMWE technology, paving the way for more efficient and reliable water electrolysis systems.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier BV
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/IH210100001
dc.relation	Investment NSW
dc.relation.ispartof	Desalination
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.desal.2025.119643
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	03 Chemical Sciences, 09 Engineering
dc.subject.classification	Chemical Engineering
dc.subject.classification	34 Chemical sciences
dc.subject.classification	40 Engineering
dc.title	Functionalized MXene-reinforced PPO-based nanocomposite anion exchange membranes for high-performance water electrolysis
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	620
utslib.for	03 Chemical Sciences
utslib.for	09 Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater (CTWW)
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-12-20T04:26:59Z
pubs.publication-status	Accepted
pubs.volume	620

Abstract:

One of the major challenges in advancing anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) lies in addressing the trade-offs between dimensional stability, electrochemical performance, and mechanical integrity of anion exchange membranes (AEMs). Overcoming these trade-offs is crucial for improving the performance and reliability of AEMWE systems. In this study, we addressed this challenge by developing a series of nanocomposite AEMs by reinforcing quaternized poly(phenylene oxide) (QPPO) with ammonium-functionalized MXene (NH4 +-Ti3C2Tx). The resulting membranes exhibited significant enhancement in dimensional stability, electrochemical performance, mechanical strength, and thermal stability compared to the pristine QPPO membrane. Among the composite AEMs, QPPO-NH4-Mx-3.0 demonstrated the notable overall performance, achieving an impressive hydroxide (OH−) ion conductivity (IC) of 153.2 mS cm−1 at 80 °C-2.5 times higher than that of virgin QPPO. Additionally, the membrane displayed excellent tensile strength of 61.2 MPa, 4 times greater than that of the pristine QPPO, and achieved a peak current density of 2.1 A cm−2 at 2 V in 1 M KOH at 60 °C. The membrane also showcased exceptional alkaline stability, retaining 80.2 % of its initial IC after three weeks of immersion in 1 M KOH. Durability testing further validated its robustness, with a stable operation maintained up to 150 h of electrolysis with a minimal voltage decay rate of 1.5 mV h−1. In , the QPPO-NH4-Mx-3.0 demonstrates substantial promise as a high-performance AEM for advancing AEMWE technology, paving the way for more efficient and reliable water electrolysis systems.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/191041