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Hyceltec 2024 – CNR-ITAE
Antonino S. Aricò, director of CNR-ITAE, and Benedetta Brancato, researcher fellow at CNR-ITAE, presented their latest findings at HYCELTEC 2024, the IX Symposium on Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Advanced Batteries. This interdisciplinary forum, scheduled from the 30th of June to the 3rd of July in Milazzo (Italy), brought together experts and researchers from academia, technological centres and industry to discuss advancements in the field of energy technologies.
The first presentation, held by Dr. Aricò, focused on green hydrogen production by innovative membrane electrolysis technologies, while Benedetta Brancato gave a presentation on the development of a scalable manufacturing process to produce MEAs with high accessible electrochemical surface area for PEM electrolysis.

Newsletter 03 | August 2024
The third ADVANCEPEM newsletter has been published summarising the results of the project so far.
Read the full newsletter here.

Hannover Messe 2024 – Oort Energy
This past April over 500 exhibitors from the hydrogen and fuel cell sector attended the world-famous Hannover Messe. For the second year in a row, Oort Energy was one of the companies taking part.
Three delegates travelled from the Oort Energy Bristol offices to Hannover, Germany, alongside their 400 lb mock stack. For an entire week Marcus Bull – Chief Operating Officer, James Dodwell – co-founder and Technical Director and Emma Ingledew – Marketing Executive, successfully manned a stand in the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Hall. The company received a great deal of attention, partly due to their impressive mock stack and to their ability to prove that within two years they had systems out in the field being delivered.
The highlight of the trip was an interesting discussion with delegates from NASA regarding fuel cells. Despite being a long and tiring week, the Hannover Messe was highly successful for Oort Energy. Here’s looking forward to next year!

Hydrogen Days 2024 – CNR-ITAE
Stefania Siracusano, senior researcher at CNR-ITAE, presented the latest publication on membrane-electrode assembly development during the 14th International Conference on Hydrogen Technologies which took place in Prague (Czech Republic) between March 20th – 24th 2024. The findings of the study, carried out in collaboration with scientists at Syensqo, significantly contribute to the ADVANCEPEM project objectives on catalysts, membrane and MEA development for operation at high current density.
Abstract
A membrane-electrode assembly based on the chemically stabilised short-side-chain proton exchange Aquivion® membrane containing a Cerium (Ce)-radical scavenger was investigated for operation at a high current density with a reduced concentration of H2 in O2 and with improved stability in a water electrolysis (WE) cell. However, at the beginning of life, the performances were low due to the exchange of protons with Ce ions from the radical scavenger, and it was observed that the performance improved with time, making this system more efficient than an extruded and reinforced membranes with similar equivalent weight (EW) of 980 g/eq and a thickness of 50 μm. Moreover, a lower H2 concentration in O2 was observed for the Ce-based membrane compared to the bare membrane-based MEAs.
The present study demonstrates that membrane manufacturing and the presence of a Ce nanofiller significantly influence the properties at the interface with the electrodes in a PEM WE cell. In particular, the Ce-based radical scavenger-based perfluorosulfonic acid Aquivion® membrane provided excellent resilience to degradation and a lower H2 content in the O2 stream. An increase in performance during a 3,500 h durability test indicated that the nanofiller was effective in improving the system’s stability.

Newsletter 02 | March 2024
The second ADVANCEPEM newsletter has been published summarising the results of the project so far.
Read the full newsletter here.

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.
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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.
Solvay announces successful Syensqo spin-off
Decided in March 2022, Solvay has successfully completed the spin-off of its Specialty activities to Syensqo in December 2023. Solvay will continue and keep the commodities activities.
“Inspired by the legacy of the Solvay Congresses, which brought together the greatest scientific minds to explore answers to the world’s biggest challenges, at Syensqo we strive to break new ground: addressing the critical needs of today and creating solutions for the future. We’re constantly expanding on what’s seemingly impossible and pushing the limits of what can be realized.
With a diverse global team of more than 13,000 employees in 30 countries, we work together to advance science and help humanity move forward on Specialty activities: Green Hydrogen, Batteries, Specialty Polymers, Composites.”
Regarding the ADVANCEPEM project, Syensqo will continue its work around the development of short-side chain perfluorinated Aquivion® ionomers as well as leading the development of innovative reinforced membrane and radical scavengers for operation at high pressure and temperature.
You can also find here an exciting announcement from Bertrand Piccard unveiling the ambitious project to develop a hydrogen-powered aircraft to fly non-stop around the world with Syensqo as main technological partner.

Deliverable D2.1 | July 2023
The deliverable D2.1 – Harmonised Test Protocols was successfully submitted in July 2023.
View the full deliverable here.

Newsletter 01 | November 2023
The first ADVANCEPEM newsletter has been published summarising the results of the first months of the project.
Read the full newsletter here.



