New Concept of Electronically and Protonic Conductive Polymer Structures for the Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis Produced by Additive Manufacturing

The polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolysis is a promising technology for the production of hydrogen from water using fluctuating renewable electricity sources. However, the investment cost of the PEM electrolysis technology has to be lowered considerably to achieve a widespread application. Polymer materials can be used as low-cost materials to solve this issue. However, the conditions within the electrolysis cells are challenging for polymeric materials, especially for materials used within the oxygen-evolving electrode. This study reports the new concept of electronically and protonic conductive polymer structures for the PEM water electrolysis produced by additive manufacturing and first results of investigations on compounds suitable for this concept.