Insights and Challenges for Applying Bipolar Membranes in Advanced Electrochemical Energy Systems

Bipolar membranes (BPMs) are gaining interest in energy conversion technologies. These composed of cation- and anion-exchange layers, with an interfacial layer between. This gives the freedom to operate different conditions (pH, concentration, composition) at both sides. Such used two operational modes, forward reverse bias. BPMs have been implemented various electrochemical applications, like water CO2 electrolyzers, fuel cells, flow batteries, while historically designed for acid/base production. Therefore, current commercial not optimized, as change per application. Although ideal BPM has highly conductive high dissociation kinetics, long lifetime, low ion crossover, each application its own priorities be competitive field. We describe challenges requirements future BPMs, identify existing developments that can leveraged develop toward scale practical applications.