Development of ion-exchange membranes for the membrane bunsen reaction in thermochemical hydrogen production by iodine-sulfur process

Thermochemical H₂ production by the iodine-sulfur process decomposes H₂O into H₂ and O₂ by combining the chemical reactions of iodine and sulfur. To boost the performance of this reaction, ion-exchange membranes for the membrane Bunsen reaction was developed. A cation-exchange membrane was prepared using a radiation-graft polymerization method. A divinylbenzene crosslinking procedure was very effective in reducing water permeation through the membrane, and the membrane Bunsen reaction was successfully performed using the developed crosslinked membrane. The crosslinked membrane showed a lower electro-osmotic coefficient with the same over potential as the Nafion membrane. Additionally, sulfur deposition during the membrane Bunsen reaction was low for the crosslinked membrane.