Experimental and Computational Strategies for the Enhancement of Anion Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Applications: A Review

There is growing interest in anion exchange membranes (AEMs) for electrochemical applications, as they represent emerging and cost-effective alternative solutions to proton exchange membranes. However, as AEM technology is still under development, enhancing their performance remains a critical challenge. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of recent experimental and theoretical strategies aimed at enhancing the key properties of AEMs, including ionic conductivity, alkaline stability, and mechanical strength. Experimental approaches include the structural modification of polymer backbone and functional groups to optimize ionic conductivity and alkaline stability, as well as advanced techniques such as crosslinking, interpenetrating polymer networks, addition of reinforcements, magnetic field orientation, and incorporation of nanofillers, to enhance mechanical and morphological characteristics. Computational chemistry analyses, including density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations, are also discussed in this article, highlighting their role in predicting and tuning membrane behavior at the molecular level. By bridging experimental and theoretical approaches, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers exploring innovative pathways for the development of next-generation AEMs with superior performance for electrochemical devices.