Structure–Property–Performance Relationship of Graphene Oxide Modified Composite Membranes for Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers

ABSTRACT In this study, graphene oxide (GO)‐modified poly (phenylene oxide, PPO) anion exchange membranes (F/GO) were developed for application in anion exchange membrane electrolyzers (AEMELs). The incorporation of GO enhanced membrane hydration, ion‐exchange capacity, and hydroxide‐ion conductivity, resulting in an ~15% increase in current density at 2.0 V and 80°C (0.551 A/cm 2 ) compared with the pristine membrane (0.480 A/cm −2 ). The F/GO membranes also showed enhanced hydrogen production rates and an HHV‐based energy efficiency of 76% at 0.5 A/cm 2 and 80°C. These results underscore the potential for F/GO membranes in scalable AEMEL applications. Mechanical and alkaline stability tests confirmed robustness under harsh conditions. These findings demonstrate that the incorporation of GO provides a simple, scalable, and potentially lower‐cost modification strategy compared with highly engineered polymer architectures, while also improving overall electrolyzer performance, highlighting the potential of GO‐modified membranes for practical hydrogen production in AEMEL systems.