ADVANCEPEM Project Updates & 12M Consortium Meeting
The fifth meeting of the ADVANCEPEM Consortium took place on February 19th – 20th in Bollate, Italy. Hosted by Syensqo, the event provided a pivotal opportunity for each partner to present updates on their respective Work Packages and strategize the submission of upcoming key technical deliverables, as well as the achievement of project milestones over the next six months.
Overall, the meeting showcased the commitment and dedication of all involved partners towards advancing the objectives of the ADVANCEPEM project, with confidence in meeting upcoming milestones. Two new significant deliverables were submitted to the EU for approval, aligning closely with project timelines:
- D3.1 – Progress report on reinforced membranes, ionomers and radical scavengers (M12)
- D4.1 – Electrocatalyst development (M12)
A highlight of the meeting was the tour of Syensqo’s cutting-edge facilities, providing partners with firsthand insights into the materials development labs for electrolyser and fuel cell applications. This experience further underscored the collaborative spirit of the Consortium and the shared commitment to innovation.
The next in-person meeting (M18) is set to take place at IRD in Odense, Denmark and will be crucial in preparation of the mid-term review meeting with the Monitoring Officers and Reviewers in Brussels.
The Consortium extends heartfelt thanks to Syensqo for their hospitality and for hosting the meeting, further exemplifying the collaborative spirit driving progress within the project.
Below is the summary of deliverables D3.1 and D4.1.
D3.1 – Progress report on reinforced membranes, ionomers and radical scavengers
The purpose of this deliverable is to develop a robust Aquivion® based Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) offering a proton conductivity of more than 200 mS/cm (100% RH, at 80°C) with significant fluorine release reduction. This Aquivion® based PEM will also offer a strong mechanical and chemically outstanding stability, able to be operated in an electrolysis cell at 140°C up to 200 bar with low gas crossover (H₂ conc in O₂ <2%vol).
To achieve these “PEM” challenges, within ADVANCEPEM project we are exploring different strategies to fulfil all the needs, such as:
- Assessment of the ionomer: Aquivion® PFSA is offering 40°C higher Tg than long side chain PFSA (i.e., Nafion®) to avoid/mitigate creep at this targeted temperature.
- Assessment of the PEM reinforcement technology: We are exploring different neutral materials as PEM reinforcement properties, inspired from early-stage previous projects and solutions already explored in the field of PEM fuel cell.
- Assessment of additives: Inspired from PEM fuel cell, we aim to explore the benefit of using a radical scavenger combined with our PEM and see how we can mitigate the fluorine release.
This ADVANCEPEM deliverable summarises where we stand related to these different routes mentioned above to improve PEM specifications.
The final objective is to select the most promising technologies in combinations with Aquivion®, the components will be up scaled to amounts sufficient for the preparation of approximately 2 m² batch reinforced, stabilised Proton Exchange Membrane to feed WP5 (MEAs and Stack Engineering).
D4.1 – Electrocatalyst development
The purpose of this Deliverable has been to develop enhanced PEM electrolysis catalysts characterised by improved characteristics such as a significant decrease of the noble metal content and an increase of the current density with respect to the state-of-the art. Advanced IrRuOx anode, Pt/C cathode electrocatalysts and PtCo recombination catalyst were developed in the first phase of the ADVANCEPEM project.
The main strategy for enhancing the properties of the anode catalyst developed has been to improve intrinsic activity and stability by tailoring the surface chemistry, electronic effects and crystallographic orientation. The goal has been to create stable nanostructured solid solutions of Iridium and Ruthenium with a core-shell configuration, featuring Iridium enrichment on the surface and optimised crystallographic orientation.
Concerning the cathode catalyst, a noble metal-based Pt/C catalyst was developed to improve corrosion resistance in acidic environments and achieve suitable catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution.
The objective has been to further reduce both anode and cathode catalyst loadings vs. the state-of the art, increase current density up to 5 A cm-2, while maintaining low overpotential characteristics.
A Pt-Co alloy recombination catalyst was synthesised to achieve effective H2-O2 recombination capability in the gas phase and allow membrane-electrode assembly operation well below the flammability limit.
Membrane-electrode assemblies based on the new developed electrocatalysts and chemically stabilised short-side-chain proton exchange Aquivion® membrane containing a Ce-based radical scavenger were investigated for operation at high current density with reduced concentration of H2 in O2 and with improved stability in a water electrolysis cell.
