ISSN: 0256-1115 (print version) ISSN: 1975-7220 (electronic version)
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In relation to this article, we declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Publication history
Received September 29, 2025
Revised November 13, 2025
Accepted December 1, 2025
Available online March 25, 2026
articles This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Eff ects of Membrane Electrode Assembly Fabrication and Operation Parameters on the Performance of Anion Exchange Membrane Ammonia Electrolyzers

Department of Chemical Engineering , Chung-Ang University 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Korea University
sooyoungkim@korea.ac.kr, shahn@cau.ac.kr
Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, March 2026, 43(4), 1043-1053(11)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-025-00615-w

Abstract

 Compared with conventional oxygen evolution reaction (OER)-paired electrolysis for hydrogen production, ammonia 

oxidation reaction (AOR)-paired alkaline electrolysis off ers enhanced energy effi ciency and reduced costs. AOR-paired 

electrolysis off ers a lower theoretical voltage (0.06 V) compared to the OER (1.23 V), enhancing thermodynamic favorability

owing to its lower theoretical voltage requirements but faces stability and performance challenges. However, 

membrane electrode assembly (MEA) fabrication and operational parameter optimization research related to catalyst 

material development for AOR-paired systems is lacking. In this study, the cell assembly factors, including gasket thickness,

compression forces, thermal conditions, and membrane selection, are analyzed, and the electrolyte concentration and 

electrochemical operating range are optimized for enhanced AOR-paired alkaline electrolysis performance. The optimal 

gasket thickness and assembly pressure improve the electrical conductivity and reduce the contact resistance. Highertemperature

operation and appropriate anion-exchange membrane screening enhance the ionic conductivity and reaction 

kinetics. The optimized KOH/NH 4 OH electrolyte concentration minimizes catalyst poisoning while maintaining high 

catalytic activity. Strategic potential window optimization mitigates irreversible surface poisoning while enabling catalyst 

recovery. Pulsed current protocols eliminate the reverse current phenomenon and electrode degradation by using cyclic 

voltammetry methods. These integrated optimization strategies enhance the current density performance, demonstrating 

the viability of AOR-paired electrolysis for practical hydrogen production applications. 

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