The anion exchange membrane (AEM) is a specialized semipermeable barrier and is a selectively permeable polymer film that allows negatively charged ions (anions) to pass through while blocking positive ions and gases, acting as a solid electrolyte in electrochemical devices. Made from ionomers with positive functional groups, AEMs facilitate hydroxide ion (OH-) transport, enabling alkaline operations for producing clean hydrogen via water electrolysis or generating electricity, offering advantages like using cheaper catalysts than proton-exchange membranes (PEMs).
The anion exchange membrane (AEM) is a critical component in next-generation green energy technologies, because it allows these systems to operate in alkaline conditions, which are much less corrosive than the acidic environments used in traditional systems, and they enable the use of low-cost, non-precious metal catalysts.
The membrane is typically made of a polymer backbone (like polysulfone or polyphenylene oxide) that has fixed positive charges (often quaternary ammonium groups) chemically bonded to it.
Electrostatic Attraction: Because the membrane is positively charged, it attracts anions (like OH- or Cl-) from the surrounding solution.
Selective Permeability: The positive charge density creates a "repulsion field" for cations (like H+ or Na+), effectively pushing them away and preventing them from crossing.The AEM allow anions to pass through while rejecting cations through a process called Donnan exclusion.
Ion Transport: Under an electrical gradient, anions "hop" from one positive site to the next across the membrane.
Environment: The AEM typically operate in alkaline (high pH) environments, which is more favorable for certain electrochemical reactions compared to acidic environments.
AEMs are currently at the forefront of the "Green Hydrogen" transition:
Electrodialysis:work with BPM to produce the base and aicd, or work with CEM for desalination.
AEM Water Electrolysis (AEMWE): Splits water into green hydrogen and oxygen. Unlike Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology, AEMWE can use transition metals (like nickel or iron) instead of expensive platinum group metals.
Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (AEMFC): Converts chemical energy from hydrogen or liquid fuels (like methanol or ethanol) into electricity.The AEM can transport OH- from the cathode to the anode to produce electricity, and allows for non-platinum catalysts (e.g., Nickel or Silver), significantly lowering costs.
Water Treatment: The AEM ia used in electrodialysis for desalination to separates salts from water, heavy metal recovery, and removing contaminants like arsenic or nitrates from drinking water.
Energy Storage: Employed in redox flow batteries (e.g., vanadium redox batteries) to improve efficiency by reducing the crossover of positively charged metal ions.
The most common alternative to an AEM is a PEM, which conducts positive protons (H+).
PEM Environment: Highly acidic. Requires expensive noble metals like Platinum and Iridium because most other metals would dissolve.
AEM Environment: Basic (Alkaline). Allows for the use of earth-abundant metals like Nickel, Cobalt, and Iron, making the entire system much cheaper to manufacture.
| Feature | Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) | Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) |
| Charge Carrier | Negative Anions (e.g.,OH-) | Positive Protons ( H+) |
| Catalysts | Low-cost transition metals | Expensive noble metals (Pt, Ir) |
| Operating pH | Alkaline (High pH) | Acidic (Low pH) |
| Conductivity | Lower (Hydroxide is less mobile) | Higher |
| Maturity | Mature/Commercial | Mature/Commercial |
40*20cm per piece
80*40cm per piece
110*55cm per piece
120*60cm per piece
other size
The AEM Electrolyzer (Creating Hydrogen)In an electrolyzer, you provide electricity to split water into Hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2).
At the Cathode (Reduction): Water is split into hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions.
Through the Membrane: The OH- ions migrate through the AEM toward the anode.
At the Anode (Oxidation): The hydroxide ions lose electrons to form oxygen gas and water.
In a fuel cell, you combine Hydrogen and Oxygen to create electricity. Note that water is consumed at the cathode and produced at the anode, which is the opposite of a traditional PEM fuel cell.
At the Cathode (Reduction): Oxygen from the air reacts with water and incoming electrons to form hydroxide ions.
Through the Membrane: The OH- ions travel from the cathode to the anode.
At the Anode (Oxidation): Hydrogen gas reacts with the hydroxide ions to produce water and release electrons (electricity).
We will choose the suitable transportation mode and deliver the goods to you on time and safety