Recent Advances in Membrane-Based Water Electrolysis & Green Energy

Dear Colleagues,

The global transition toward zero-emission energy economies critically relies on green hydrogen (H2) production via membrane-based water electrolysis. At the core of low- and intermediate-temperature electrochemical cells such as the proton exchange membrane (PEMWE), the anion exchange membrane (AEMWE), and hybrid systems lies the polymer electrolyte membrane. This component plays a dual role: facilitating selective ionic conduction while maintaining robust gas separation. However, widespread industrial deployment remains constrained by trade-offs among ionic conductivity, gas permselectivity, long-term chemical/mechanical stability, and high material costs. Overcoming these bottlenecks requires interdisciplinary innovations spanning macromolecular chemistry, nanostructured composite engineering, interfacial physics, and transport modeling. Evaluating membrane stability across diverse operating regimes including high differential pressures, elevated temperatures, and transient dynamic loads is essential for advancing durable, cost-effective hydrogen technologies. This Special Issue aims to curate and disseminate high-impact research regarding the design, synthesis, characterization, and operational optimization of advanced membranes for water electrolysis. We invite high-quality original research articles, short communications, and critical reviews focusing on fundamental transport phenomena, novel material architectures, and scalable fabrication strategies. Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Novel polymer chemistries, PFSA alternatives, and hydrocarbon/composite membranes for PEMWE and AEMWE;
2. High-temperature, high-pressure, and mechanically reinforced membrane architectures;
3. Interfacial engineering, catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) fabrication, and zero-gap MEA optimization;
4. Fundamental mass/charge transport dynamics, water management, and gas permselectivity kinetics;
5. Degradation kinetics (radical attack, mechanical fatigue) and mitigation strategies;
6. Membrane performance and stability under dynamic conditions, including intermittent renewable DC power inputs;
7. Advanced in situ and operando diagnostic techniques for real-time structural tracking;
8. Techno-economic analyses, life cycle assessments (LCAs), and circular recycling strategies.

Dr. Mohd Fadhzir Ahmad Kamaroddin
Dr. Nordin Sabli
Dr. Mohd Shahbudin Masdar
Guest Editors

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-anonymized 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.