A new membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) from the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) in Greifswald aims to save up to 95% of precious metals. Additionally, the membranes are PFAS-free. A new company intends to bring the technology to market readiness.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) is funding the spin-off elementarhy with a total of 1.2 million euros. The INP is contributing a ten percent share, as the institute announced in a press release.
Plasma technology is the key to the solution, explained the CEO of the spin-off, Dr. Gustav Sievers: “Additionally, we test our MEA before delivery. Until now, faulty MEA could only be detected through very labor-intensive assembly. Another major advantage is that we already work without PFAS in the key component, the catalyst layer. Through the PFAS-free coating of our MEA, the systems are significantly more environmentally friendly.”
Sievers developed the process at the INP with an international team of researchers. For the MEA, they used a combined process of plasma technology and electrochemistry, based on a patented electrocatalyst for coating. This not only reduces the raw material demand but also increases durability.
Scaling Aimed
The scientists founded the company in May - at that time they also received the Leibniz Society's founding award. With small-scale industrial production, the team was already able to secure initial orders and deliver custom MEAs. In further projects with unnamed electrolyzer manufacturers and hydrogen producers, the technology is now to be scaled up.
PEM electrolyzers use iridium for hydrogen production. Iridium is one of the rarest chemical elements. Accordingly, the precious metal is expensive: the German Raw Materials Agency expects a supply risk due to massively increasing demand. It is rather unlikely that iridium production will increase significantly.
In market-standard electrolyzers, PFAS chemicals are also used. These substances, known as "forever chemicals," accumulate in nature and living organisms and are considered a major health risk. The EU is currently negotiating extensive PFAS bans, which is why the industry is seeking alternatives.
