Soongsil University announced that Professor Kang Bum-gu's research team, along with Professor Park Kyung-won's team, has developed a new anion exchange membrane (AEM) material aimed at increasing the efficiency of electrolysis systems. Anion exchange membranes play a crucial role in the electrolysis process by serving as a pathway for hydroxide ions (OH⁻) to move. This material requires both high ionic conductivity and durability under alkaline conditions. However, increasing ionic conductivity has often led to issues with mechanical stability due to membrane swelling. To address this challenge, the research teams applied a cross-linking structural design strategy that connects polymer chains, helping to suppress membrane swelling while maintaining strength. They introduced a piperidinium-based structure that significantly improved durability in alkaline environments, showcasing the innovative approach to balance functionality and stability. The teams produced various AEMs with differing levels of cross-linking to compare their performances and identified an optimal composition that achieved an excellent balance of ionic conductivity, mechanical stability, and alkaline durability. Experimental applications of the developed AEM in electrolyzer cells resulted in higher current densities than commercial AEMs, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis showed lower membrane resistance. The membrane functioned reliably for over 100 hours under constant current conditions, demonstrating long-term operational performance. Professor Kang Bum-gu highlighted the significance of this research in effectively controlling the balance of performance within anion exchange membranes, with plans to extend research to develop next-generation electrolytic membrane materials. This study is supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea and results were published in the European Polymer Journal.