Preparation, Optimization, and Applications of Proton Exchange Membranes

Dear Colleagues,

Faced with the gradual depletion of non-renewable resources and the increasing global environmental changes, caused by fossil fuels carbon emissions, countries have introduced new policies and strategies regarding resources and the environment to promote sustainable development and a better future for humanity. The energy power system is one of the effective solutions to promote sustainable development, which attracting wide researchers' attention to focus on the high performance energy power system. The proton exchange membrane presents one of the key components for the energy power system, which can separate positive and negative electrode electrolytes. Moreover, high proton conduction ability, high selectivity, high structural stability, low cost, etc are key parameters for application.

The development of high-performance proton exchange membranes (PEM) is a core and prerequisite for devices' performance improvement, particularly for hydrogen fuel cells. Its necessity stems from multiple severe challenges and significant opportunities. Current mainstream perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes face notable bottlenecks: Firstly, their high raw material costs and complex synthesis processes directly drive up the total cost of fuel cell systems, hindering large-scale commercial adoption. Secondly, their proton conductivity declines sharply under high-temperature (80 °C) or low-humidity conditions, severely restricting the operating range and performance output of the cells. Additionally, these membranes are prone to chemical degradation and mechanical damage during long-term operation, affecting the durability and reliability of devices' performance. Therefore, developing a new generation of proton exchange membranes is crucial. The goal is to overcome existing limitations by creating novel membrane materials that combine high proton conductivity, excellent chemical and mechanical stability, broad temperature and humidity adaptability, and low cost. This will not only significantly improve the efficiency, lifespan, and operational adaptability but also reduce the system's reliance on precious metal catalysts (such as platinum), thereby substantially lowering costs.

This special issue is concentrated on the recent advances in proton exchange membrane, with an emphasis on the new preparation strategy, new material, and new structure, which play important roles in the energy power system. This issue provides a perfect opportunity for researchers to report on the topics of, but not limited to, new types of proton exchange membrane materials with hydrogen fuel cell, direct methanol fuel cell, high temperature fuel cell, water electrolysis, redox flow battery, acid recovery, etc. Research articles and critical reviews related to the scope of the proton exchange membrane are welcome for submission.

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

• New proton exchange membrane synthesis and their applications.
• Unique class of membrane additives/modifiers (such as, nanomaterials and organic fillers) with proton conduction enhanced ability.
• Hybrid and composite proton exchange membrane materials for fuel cell, high temperature fuel cell, water electrolysis, redox flow battery, acid recovery, and related applications.
• Innovative integration approaches of proton exchange membrane systems in possible industrial fields.
• Other novel aspects related to proton exchange membrane and membrane-based proton transport technology.

Prof. Dr. Xuemei Wu
Prof. Dr. Wenjia Wu
Dr. Bo Pang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• hydrogen fuel cell
• direct methanol fuel cell
• water electrolysis
• proton exchange membrane
• proton transport
• membrane preparation
• membrane material
• redox flow battery