C4M - Simplifying the production of catalyst-coated membranes for electrolysis and fuel cells

C4M – Simplifying the production of catalyst-coated membranes for electrolysis and fuel cells

The C4M project aims to transfer a laboratory process developed at IEK-14 for the simplified production of catalyst-coated membranes (CCM) to pilot plant scale and to investigate two technical designs. The optimal design will later be used by a project partner in the commercial production of CCMs for water electrolysers and/or fuel cells.

To this end, the consortium intends to develop the coating materials for use in two different pilot plants and processes. Both processes have in common that they manufacture the CCMs in a single plant using only casting techniques and require only different coating materials. This approach represents a major simplification compared to previous CCM production processes, resulting in savings in costs and materials.

The two processes differ in their material utilisation rate and their potential for avoiding fluorine-containing waste materials. While one process uses a recycling technique in combination with intermittent slot die coating followed by de-coating, the second process investigates continuous Commabar coating on fluorine-reduced or fluorine-free substrates.

The joint development of coating materials and processes will enable the identification of the CCM casting technology production variant that can be used to produce high-performance CCMs for water electrolysis and fuel cells with minimal material consumption and minimal waste generation.

The ZBT is responsible for the extensive electrochemical characterisation of the samples produced in this project. By measuring various properties, conclusions can be drawn about the influence of individual manufacturing parameters on the performance of the CCMs.

Time frame:

1 November 2023 to 31 October 2026

Approved funding:

279.467,55 €

Executing agency:

ZBT – The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center, Duisburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Funding code:

03EI3079B

Joint project:

01251963/1 – C4M

Funding body:

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (BMWK.IIB5)

Project management:

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH (PT-J.ESI3)

Source:

https://www.enargus.de/pub/bscw.cgi/?op=enargus.eps2&q=Zentrum%20f%C3%BCr%20Brennstoffzellen-Technik%20GmbH&v=10&s=12&id=16884597

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