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Membranes
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Advanced Membrane Design for Hydrogen Technologies
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Advanced Membrane Design for Hydrogen Technologies

A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Applications for Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 6377

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jianuo Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Interests: hydrogen-related technologies; membrane materials; membrane technology; membrane process; membrane characterization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global transition to a hydrogen-based energy system demands the development of high-performance, durable, and cost-effective membranes for a range of applications, including proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, electrolysers, and hydrogen purification systems. This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in membrane materials, architectures, and processing strategies that directly impact the efficiency and stability of hydrogen energy technologies. We invite contributions on the development of PFSA-free membranes, thermally and chemically stable materials, and functionalized nanomaterials. Submissions that incorporate advanced characterization techniques—synchrotron imaging, in situ spectroscopy, and tomography— are especially encouraged, as are studies employing multiphysics modeling to investigate membrane degradation mechanisms and guide interventional design. Topics may also include scalable fabrication approaches (e.g., spray coating, electrospinning, 3D printing) and the use of AI-assisted optimization methods for material and process development. By bringing together experimental and computational insights, this Special Issue aims to support the rational design and accelerated deployment of next-generation membranes for the hydrogen economy.

Dr. Jianuo Chen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hydrogen energy
  • proton-exchange membranes
  • electrolysis
  • fuel cells
  • membrane durability
  • nanostructured membranes
  • PFSA-free membranes
  • in situ characterization
  • multiphysics modeling
  • scalable fabrication

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2135 KB  
Communication
Perfluorinated Ionomer Dispersion Preparation: Autoclaving vs. High-Pressure Homogenizing
by Sofia M. Morozova, Nataliia V. Talagaeva, Nadezhda N. Dremova, Ulyana M. Zavorotnaya, Andrey S. Starikov, Nikita A. Emelianov, Evgeny A. Sanginov, Alexander M. Korsunsky, Alexey V. Levchenko and Alexey V. Vinyukov
Membranes 2026, 16(3), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16030083 - 26 Feb 2026
Viewed by 788
Abstract
Perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomer (PFSAI) dispersions are widely used for fabrication of ion-conducting membranes and catalyst layers for hydrogen fuel cells. The conformation and concentration of PFSAIs affect the properties of the final product and depend on the liquid phase in dispersion. Here [...] Read more.
Perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomer (PFSAI) dispersions are widely used for fabrication of ion-conducting membranes and catalyst layers for hydrogen fuel cells. The conformation and concentration of PFSAIs affect the properties of the final product and depend on the liquid phase in dispersion. Here we present a novel method of preparing water/alcohol dispersions based on Nafion and Aquivion PFSAI by using a high-pressure homogenizer. The proposed route is faster and much safer and allows achieving higher PFSAI concentrations in comparison with the autoclave technique used for commercial dispersion preparation. The comparison of dispersion viscosity and PFSAI aggregate size was performed for both techniques and demonstrated similar values. Analysis of the morphology of membranes obtained from different dispersions by the casting method revealed differences in structure, which disappeared after annealing. These results highlight an important novel method of preparing PFSAI dispersions and the use of membrane morphology analysis for membrane quality evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Membrane Design for Hydrogen Technologies)
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18 pages, 6762 KB  
Article
Investigation of the Effect of Alkyl Chain Length on the Size and Distribution of Thiol-Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Applications
by Md Farabi Rahman, Haoyan Fang, Aniket Raut, Aaron Sloutski and Miriam Rafailovich
Membranes 2026, 16(2), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16020058 - 2 Feb 2026
Viewed by 988
Abstract
This article reports on how the length of the alkyl chain influences the morphological properties of thiol-stabilized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and their subsequent effects on the performance and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). We synthesized thiol-stabilized Ag NPs by [...] Read more.
This article reports on how the length of the alkyl chain influences the morphological properties of thiol-stabilized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and their subsequent effects on the performance and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). We synthesized thiol-stabilized Ag NPs by varying the alkyl chain length: 1-hexane thiol (C6), 1-octanethiol (C8), 1-decanethiol (C10), 1-dodecanethiol (C12), and 1-tetradecanethiol (C14), which we achieved using the two–phase Brust–Schiffrin method. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) patterns confirm the formation of crystalline Ag NPs. A morphological study conducted using a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) demonstrated that smaller alkyl chain length thiols (C6, C8, and C10) tend to coalesce, while C12 shows better uniformity with no agglomeration. C14 produces larger nanoparticles. A distinct pressure-area isotherm was observed when Ag NPs were spread at the water/air interface of a Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) trough. After obtaining the monolayer formation pressure range, we coated the Nafion 117 membrane of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with these nanoparticles to form monolayers of different Ag NPs (C6, C8, C12, C14) at various surface pressures (2 mN/m, 6 mN/m and 10 mN/m). Maximum power output enhancement was observed for C12, while other nanoparticles (C6, C8, C10, C14) did not exhibit noticeable power enhancement for PEMFCs. C12 Ag NPs deposited at surface pressure 6 mN/m give maximum power density increase (26.5%) at the fuel cell test station. In addition, we examined the carbon monoxide (CO) resistance test by mixing 0.1% CO with hydrogen (H2), and C12 Ag NPs showed the highest resistance to CO poisoning. However, no enhancement in power or CO tolerance was observed when C12 Ag NPs were coated by spray coating. These outcomes showcase that alkyl chain length plays a critical role in controlling the size and distribution of thiol-stabilized nanoparticles, which eventually has a direct impact on the performance and CO resistance of PEMFCs when applied to polymer electrolyte (Nafion 117). In addition, surface pressure during monolayer formation controls the distribution of Ag NPs (the distance between nanoparticles at the membrane interface), which is necessary to achieve catalytic activity for power improvement and to prevent platinum (Pt) poisoning by CO oxidation at ambient conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Membrane Design for Hydrogen Technologies)
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15 pages, 2433 KB  
Article
Investigation of Biogas Dry Reforming over Ru/CeO2 Catalysts and Pd/YSZ Membrane Reactor
by Omid Jazani and Simona Liguori
Membranes 2026, 16(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16010034 - 5 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1150
Abstract
The biogas dry reforming reaction offers a promising route for syngas production while simultaneously mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Membrane reactors have proven to be an excellent option for hydrogen production and separation in a single unit, where conversion and yield can be enhanced [...] Read more.
The biogas dry reforming reaction offers a promising route for syngas production while simultaneously mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Membrane reactors have proven to be an excellent option for hydrogen production and separation in a single unit, where conversion and yield can be enhanced over conventional processes. In this study, a Pd/YSZ membrane integrated with a Ru/CeO2 catalyst was evaluated for biogas reaction under varying operating conditions. The selective removal of hydrogen through the palladium membrane improved reactant conversion and suppressed side reactions such as methanation and the reverse water–gas shift. Experiments were performed at temperatures ranging from 500 to 600 °C, pressures of 1–6 bar, and a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 800 h−1. Maximum conversions of CH4 (43%) and CO2 (46.7%) were achieved at 600 °C and 2 bar, while the maximum hydrogen recovery of 78% was reached at 6 bar. The membrane reactor outperformed a conventional reactor, offering up to 10% higher CH4 conversion and improved hydrogen production and yield. Also, a comparative analysis between Ru/CeO2 and Ni/Al2O3 catalysts revealed that while the Ni-based catalyst provided higher CH4 conversion, it also promoted methane decomposition reaction and coke formation. In contrast, the Ru/CeO2 catalyst exhibited excellent resistance to coke formation, attributable to ceria’s redox properties and oxygen storage capacity. The combined system of Ru/CeO2 catalyst and Pd/YSZ membrane offers an effective and sustainable approach for hydrogen-rich syngas production from biogas, with improved performance and long-term stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Membrane Design for Hydrogen Technologies)
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19 pages, 4926 KB  
Article
A Bipolar Membrane Containing Core–Shell Structured Fe3O4-Chitosan Nanoparticles for Direct Seawater Electrolysis
by Hyeon-Bee Song, Eun-Hye Jang and Moon-Sung Kang
Membranes 2026, 16(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16010023 - 2 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1098
Abstract
Seawater has attracted increasing attention as a promising resource for hydrogen production via electrolysis. However, multivalent ions present in seawater can reduce the efficiency of direct seawater electrolysis (DSWE) by forming inorganic precipitates at the cathode. Bipolar membranes (BPMs) can mitigate precipitate formation [...] Read more.
Seawater has attracted increasing attention as a promising resource for hydrogen production via electrolysis. However, multivalent ions present in seawater can reduce the efficiency of direct seawater electrolysis (DSWE) by forming inorganic precipitates at the cathode. Bipolar membranes (BPMs) can mitigate precipitate formation by regulating local pH, thereby enhancing DSWE efficiency. Accordingly, this study focuses on the fabrication of a high-performance BPM for DSWE applications. The water-splitting performance of BPMs is strongly dependent on the properties of the catalyst at the bipolar junction. Herein, iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were coated with cross-linked chitosan to improve solvent dispersibility and catalytic activity. The resulting core–shell catalyst exhibited excellent dispersibility, facilitating uniform incorporation into the BPM. Water-splitting flux measurements identified an optimal catalyst loading of approximately 3 μg cm−2. The BPM containing Fe3O4–chitosan nanoparticles achieved a water-splitting flux of 26.2 μmol cm−2 min−1, which is 18.6% higher than that of a commercial BPM (BP-1E, Astom Corp., Tokyo, Japan). DSWE tests using artificial seawater as the catholyte and NaOH as the anolyte demonstrated lower cell voltage and stable catholyte acidification over 100 h compared to the commercial membrane. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Membrane Design for Hydrogen Technologies)
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Review

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34 pages, 2813 KB  
Review
AI in Membrane Design and Optimization for Hydrogen Fuel Cells
by Bshaer Nasser, Hisham Kazim, Moin Sabri, Muhammad Tawalbeh and Amani Al-Othman
Membranes 2026, 16(3), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes16030097 - 3 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1697
Abstract
This paper reviews artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the design and optimization of proton exchange membrane (PEM) materials for hydrogen fuel cells. Clean energy conversion is a substantial benefit of PEM fuel cells, which conventional membrane development struggles with due to time-consuming trial-and-error [...] Read more.
This paper reviews artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the design and optimization of proton exchange membrane (PEM) materials for hydrogen fuel cells. Clean energy conversion is a substantial benefit of PEM fuel cells, which conventional membrane development struggles with due to time-consuming trial-and-error methods, which are not adequate in capturing the different interdependencies of the membrane structure, and environmental variables. The review establishes foundational design principles of PEMs and outlines their challenges and computational methodologies are constructed to address them. Various advanced AI methods have been highlighted which include graph neural networks, multitask frameworks, and physics-informed models that facilitate rapid prediction of polymer properties. Optimization methods have been reported with 10–30% performance improvements, for instance, NSGA-II frameworks achieving 13–27% gains in power density. Experimental requirements are reduced by 40–60%, as seen with Bayesian optimization, identifying optimal designs within as few as 40 iterations. Current challenges include data availability, generalizability, and scalability, which are closely assessed in this review. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Membrane Design for Hydrogen Technologies)
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