The effects of thickness and surface roughening condition of ion exchange membrane on the performance in solid polymer water electrolysis

Membrane-electrode composites (Pt/Membrane/Pt/Ir) were prepared with some kinds of membrane, and the effects of thickness, EW, and surface roughening condition of membranes on the performance in solid polymer water electrolysis were investigated. The cell voltage was improved by using a membrane with thinner thickness, smaller EW and harder roughening treatment. But the current efficiency was decreased by using a membrane with thinner thickness, smaller EW, and excessive roughening treatment. In order to improve the performance of the composite with a thinner membrane, it was considered to be important to develop the structure of the composite that can suppress the gas permeation through the membrane. In addition, concerning the development of technology for scaling up, 250 cm(2) electrolyzer with 100 cells and 2,500 cm(2) electrolyzer with 10 cells are introduced.