Green hydrogen is widely regarded as a cornerstone of the future clean energy economy, offering a sustainable pathway to decarbonise industries, transportation, and power generation. With abundant renewable energy resources, Australia is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in green hydrogen production and export. However, the widespread deployment of hydrogen technologies remains constrained by the high cost, limited efficiency, and durability challenges of existing water electrolysis systems.
This project aims to develop next-generation anion exchange membrane water electrolysers (AEMWEs) for efficient and cost-effective green hydrogen production. The research will focus on the design of advanced materials that can serve as highly active electrocatalysts and ion-conducting membrane components, replacing expensive precious-metal-based materials currently used in commercial systems. By integrating innovative materials with advanced electrolyser engineering, the project seeks to establish new pathways for sustainable hydrogen generation powered by renewable electricity.
The project aligns closely with Australia’s net-zero emissions targets and emerging hydrogen economy, contributing to the development of clean energy technologies that support long-term energy security, industrial decarbonisation, and economic growth.
Aim
The overarching aim of this project is to develop high-performance and low-cost anion exchange membrane water electrolysis technologies for sustainable hydrogen production. The project will combine materials discovery, mechanistic understanding, and device engineering to overcome current limitations in efficiency, durability, and cost.
Specifically, the project aims to:
- Develop advanced materials for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions.
- Design highly conductive and chemically stable membrane materials suitable for alkaline electrolysis.
- Understand the fundamental mechanisms governing catalytic activity, ion transport, and long-term stability.
- Integrate these materials into high-performance electrolyser devices capable of operating under industrially relevant conditions.
The ultimate goal is to establish scalable and economically viable technologies for green hydrogen production using earth-abundant materials.
Objectives
The specific objectives of this project include:
- Materials Design and Discovery – Develop novel materials with enhanced catalytic activity, stability, and hydroxide-ion transport properties.
- Mechanistic Understanding – Investigate the fundamental reaction mechanisms and structure-performance relationships governing hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, and ion transport processes.
- Membrane Development – Design and optimise inorganic ion-conducting membrane materials with high conductivity, excellent chemical stability, and long operational lifetime.
- Electrolyser Engineering – Fabricate and optimise membrane-electrode assemblies and electrolyser architectures to maximise efficiency, hydrogen production rate, and operational durability.
- Device Demonstration and Evaluation – Evaluate the performance, durability, scalability, and techno-economic feasibility of the developed electrolyser systems under practical operating conditions.
Significance
This project addresses one of the most important challenges in the global transition to a low-carbon future: the affordable production of green hydrogen. By developing advanced materials and next-generation electrolyser technologies based on earth-abundant elements, the research has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of hydrogen production while improving efficiency and durability.
The project will generate fundamental knowledge in materials science, electrochemistry, and hydrogen technologies, while also delivering practical innovations that support the commercialisation of green hydrogen systems. The outcomes will contribute to Australia’s strategic priorities in renewable energy, clean manufacturing, and decarbonisation.
As global demand for green hydrogen continues to grow, successful development of advanced AEMWE technologies could strengthen Australia’s position as a major producer and exporter of clean hydrogen. The project will also provide the successful PhD candidate with interdisciplinary training in advanced materials, electrochemical energy technologies, and device engineering, preparing them for leadership roles in academia, industry, and the rapidly expanding clean energy sector.
Ideal Candidate
We are seeking a self-motivated PhD candidate with excellent organisation, problem-solving and project management skills. Experience or expertise in the research fields of chemical engineering, materials science, materials engineering, catalysis, physical chemistry, chemistry, and/or electrochemistry are highly desirable. The candidate must meet minimum English language requirements and must be eligible to enrol in PhD programs at Curtin University.
This project is open to International and Domestic applicants.
Scholarship
If you are identified as the preferred candidate for this project, you may be considered for an RTP scholarship.
Enquires and How to Apply
For enquires about this opportunity contact Dr Xiaomin Xu at Xiaomin.Xu@curtin.edu.au
To formally apply submit an Expression of Interest to Dr Xiaomin Xu during the Central Scholarship round (July 1st – July 31st 2026)