Sandia National Labs (SNL) has been developing polymer separators for a variety of electrochemical processes. These materials have found utility in two different application of hydrogen production.

1. Alkaline water electrolysis: In alkaline electrolysis the membrane prevents the hydrogen/oxygen products from mixing and allows hydroxide transport, however commonly available membrane separators often become brittle and crack at high pH. The membranes developed at SNL are stable under basic environments and have been tested and verified by National Labs and industry.
2. Hybrid sulfur thermochemical water-splitting: In the HyS Thermochemical cycle, the separator needs to be stable at temperatures up to 150°C while being conductive to protons and a barrier for sulfur. Nafion has typically been used in these systems but with its high cost and low glass transition temperature, alternatives are being pursed. Our materials have shown higher performance and improved sulfur barrier to current state of the art.
3. Photochemical carbon dioxide/water reduction: NL AMES are being incorporated into vapor based electrochemical CO2 reduction testbeds. The activity and selectivity as well as transport properties due to the presence of the membrane are being investigated by the JCAP/Caltech team. Water could replace CO2 to generate clean hydrogen.