A serious bottleneck in realising the green hydrogen economy is the existing green hydrogen cost that is overpriced by multifold than that of the preponderantly available grey/brown hydrogen. The development of efficient and cost-effective water electrolysers is a critical need in the field of renewable energy. Among the various types of water electrolysers, Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolysers have gained significant attention due to their potential to operate with lower costs and higher efficiency compared to traditional Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers. Dr. Kaliaperumal Selvaraj, a prominent researcher at the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) in India, has been at the forefront of this innovative technology.
Dr. Selvaraj's work focuses on advancing the science and engineering behind AEM water electrolysers. These devices use an anion exchange membrane to separate the anode and cathode, allowing for the production of hydrogen and oxygen through the electrolysis of water. The primary advantage of AEM electrolysers is their ability to utilize non-precious metal catalysts, which significantly reduces the overall cost of the system. This makes them a viable option for large-scale hydrogen production, which is essential for a sustainable energy future.
The development of AEM water electrolysers involves several technical challenges, including membrane durability, catalyst efficiency, and system integration. Dr. Selvaraj and his team at NCL are addressing these challenges through extensive research and development. Their efforts include the synthesis and characterization of newly designed robust catalysts, membrane electrode assemblies and the optimization of electrolyser performance under various operating conditions.
CSIR's AEM WE Technology Highlights
One of the key areas of Dr. Selvaraj’s research is the development of novel membrane-electrode assemblies (MEA). The anion exchange membrane must be stable in alkaline environments, have high ionic conductivity, and be resistant to degradation. The team at NCL is exploring the use of various polymers and composite based MEAs to achieve these properties. This research is crucial for ensuring the longevity and efficiency of AEM electrolysers in practical applications.
Another significant aspect of Dr. Selvaraj’s work is the development of efficient and durable catalysts. Traditional PEM electrolysers often rely on expensive platinum-based catalysts, which limit their widespread adoption. AEM electrolysers, on the other hand, can use non-precious metal catalysts, such as nickel and cobalt, which are more abundant and cost-effective. The research at NCL aims to enhance the catalytic activity and stability of these materials, ensuring that they can perform reliably in an alkaline environment.
The integration of AEM electrolysers stack into an efficient balance of plant (BoP) is another critical activity in his group. Leading industrial partners have joined hands with his team to develop and demonstrate this to make India's first indigenous Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) Water Electrolyser Technology.
Know more: India's first AEM WE Technology Development
Dr. Selvaraj's team has recently demonstrated India's first indigenous AEMWE stack of 3 kW with a globally benchmarked extra-ordinary performance successfully. Further scaling up and technological upgrades are under way.