{"id":14962,"date":"2026-01-29T07:48:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T07:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T15:06:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T15:06:37","slug":"h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/","title":{"rendered":"H2Coat - Special coating for silicone seals in fuel cells to reduce permeation"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n \"Graphical\n
\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n
\n

H2Coat – Special coating for silicone seals<\/span> in fuel cells<\/span> to reduce permeation<\/span> <\/h1>\n

The denser, the better: silicone is the material of choice for seals in fuel cells. However, ZBT and Rhenotherm are convinced that the good properties can still be improved and are jointly developing a special coating to further reduce hydrogen permeation through the seal. <\/h4>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n

<\/h2>\n

Hydrogen fuel cells are a key technology for climate-friendly mobility. In addition to many other factors, careful handling of hydrogen as an energy source<\/strong> is crucial for their efficient operation – losses should be reduced to an absolute minimum. <\/p>\n

The problem: due to its small molecular size, the gas can also diffuse slowly through conventional silicone seals. This so-called permeation effect<\/strong> leads to a loss of efficiency and can also pose a safety risk under certain circumstances. <\/p>\n

Reduce hydrogen losses<\/h4>\n

In order to reduce this permeation, the ZBT is working with Rhenotherm Mini Parts in the ZIM project H2Coat to develop a new type of special coating for dispensed silicone seals<\/strong> on bipolar plates of fuel cells. The aim is to significantly reduce hydrogen permeation and thus increase both the efficiency and safety of fuel cell systems. The new coating is intended to form an effective barrier against hydrogen permeation without negatively affecting the mechanical properties of the seal. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n \"Dispenser\n
\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n<\/section>\n
\n

<\/h2>\n

No easy task: reducing hydrogen permeation in silicone seals is technologically demanding. In addition to the impermeability to hydrogen, the secure and permanent adhesion of the coating to the silicone surface<\/strong> is a major challenge for the researchers. This is particularly tricky due to the low surface energy of silicone. <\/p>\n

Complex tests<\/h4>\n

To evaluate the newly developed coatings, coated and uncoated test specimens are examined on a specially developed permeation test stand<\/strong> and the permeation rates are determined. In order to be able to assess the mechanical stability and sealing effect of the coated materials in practice, the scientists are also adapting methods for measuring the compression set<\/strong> (DVR). In addition, the project partners are developing test protocols to validate the coated seals later under real operating conditions in fuel cells. <\/p>\n

In the H2Coat project, the partners are pooling their expertise in materials technology and fuel cell development. Rhenotherm Mini Parts develops and investigates suitable coating systems<\/strong>, evaluates their adhesion and barrier effect and later transfers the process to real fuel cell components. The ZBT provides test specimens and bipolar plates with seals, carries out permeation and DVR measurements<\/strong> and tests the coated seals in fuel cells under real operating conditions. The results are compared with reference stacks in order to evaluate the effect of the coating on performance and ageing. <\/p>\n

With the development of the H2Coat special coating, the project partners are making an important contribution to the economic and safe use of hydrogen in fuel cell technology. The significant reduction of hydrogen losses<\/strong> through silicone seals will increase the efficiency of fuel cells and create the basis for a broader industrial application – a step towards greater sustainability, safety and competitiveness in fuel cell technology. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

\n

PROJECT INFO<\/h2>\n

Project title:<\/strong>
\nDevelopment of a new type of special coating for dispensed silicone seals on bipolar plates of fuel cells<\/p>\n

Project acronym:<\/strong> H2Coat<\/p>\n

Funding:<\/strong> This project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy as part of the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM).<\/p>\n

Approval period: <\/strong>1. July 2025 – 30. June 2027<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\n

CONTACT<\/h3>\n

Project manager<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n Salman Fettah\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n <\/svg><\/i>\n +49 203 7598 1170<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n <\/svg><\/i>\n \n s.fettah@zbt.de<\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \"Professional\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Other current projects<\/h2>\n \n
\n
\n \n
\n
\n \"\"\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
\n

ELYSeal \u2013 Service life and safety of seals in PEM electrolysers<\/h4>\n

<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\n Read more<\/span>\n <\/svg><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/a> <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n
\n \"\"\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
\n

pAST-EL – Predictive AST Protocols for Alkaline Electrolysis<\/h4>\n

As part of the pAST-EL project, ZBT and DLR are developing predictive stress tests and machine learning models to detect degradation more quickly, predict service life more reliably, and optimise operating strategies for electrolysers.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\n Read more<\/span>\n <\/svg><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/a> <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n
\n \"R\u00f6ntgenmikroskopaufnahmer\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
\n

grELjet – Graded Catalyst Layers for PEM Electrolyzers<\/h4>\n

As part of the grELjet project, ZBT is collaborating with Fraunhofer ENAS to develop spatially resolved, optimised catalyst layers designed to reduce the iridium requirements of PEM electrolysers and increase their efficiency.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\n Read more<\/span>\n <\/svg><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/a> <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n
\n \"Teststand\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
\n

NH3-HRS \u2013 Scalable Ammonia Cracker for Hydrogen Fueling Stations<\/h4>\n

The NH3-HRS project is developing a compact system that converts ammonia directly into high-purity hydrogen at hydrogen refueling stations.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\n Read more<\/span>\n <\/svg><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/a> <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n
\n \"\"\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
\n

H2B \u2013 Is Hydrogen the Right Solution for Energy-Intensive SMEs?<\/h4>\n

New Interreg Project H2B Provides Entrepreneurs with Clarity on Hydrogen as an Energy Solution.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\n Read more<\/span>\n <\/svg><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/a> <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n
\n \"Two\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
\n

GALWANi \u2013 Nanowire Electrodes for Alkaline Water Electrolysis<\/h4>\n

The GALWANi project is developing customised nickel and nickel-iron nanowire electrodes for more powerful and efficient alkaline electrolysers.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\n Read more<\/span>\n <\/svg><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/a> <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n
\n \"\"\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
\n

TRUST \u2013 Safe Hydrogen Trailers for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses<\/h4>\n

The IGF project TRUST (Trailer Refueling Utilizing Simulated Tables) focuses on developing safe refueling procedures for hydrogen trailers.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\n Read more<\/span>\n <\/svg><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/a> <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n
\n \"Testst\u00e4nde\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
\n

LongCell \u2013 Fuel Cell Lifespan Prediction and Lifespan-Optimised Operation<\/h4>\n

How can fuel cell systems be operated more efficiently, with a longer service life, and more cost-effectively? The new LongCell research project is dedicated to addressing this question. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n
\n Read more<\/span>\n <\/svg><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/a> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>
\n

Discover more<\/h2>\n
\n
\n \n

Research<\/h4>\n

The ZBT – the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center in Duisburg conducts application-oriented research on hydrogen-related topics, thus building a bridge between fundamental research and industry.<\/p>\n <\/svg><\/i>\n<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

\n \n

Publications<\/h4>\n

The results of publicly funded research projects belong to the general public. Publications are therefore an important part of our work. <\/p>\n <\/svg><\/i>\n<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

\n \n

Events<\/h4>\n

ZBT conferences and workshops, ZBT speakers at industry events, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions \u2013 there are plenty of opportunities to meet us and get in touch. Here is an overview. <\/p>\n <\/svg><\/i>\n<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The denser, the better: silicone is the material of choice for seals in fuel cells. However, ZBT and Rhenotherm are convinced that the good properties can still be improved and are jointly developing a special coating to further reduce hydrogen permeation through the seal. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":14171,"parent":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-14962","project","type-project","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"date":null},"yoast_head":"\nH2Coat - Special coating for silicone seals in fuel cells to reduce permeation - Zentrum f\u00fcr BrennstoffzellenTechnik GmbH<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"ZBT and Rhenotherm are developing a special coating for seals in fuel cells to reduce hydrogen permeation.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"H2Coat - Special coating for silicone seals in fuel cells to reduce permeation - Zentrum f\u00fcr BrennstoffzellenTechnik GmbH\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"ZBT and Rhenotherm are developing a special coating for seals in fuel cells to reduce hydrogen permeation.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Zentrum f\u00fcr BrennstoffzellenTechnik GmbH\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-16T15:06:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/beschichtung-silikondichtung-brennstoffzelle-rhenotherm-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/\",\"name\":\"H2Coat - Special coating for silicone seals in fuel cells to reduce permeation - Zentrum f\u00fcr BrennstoffzellenTechnik GmbH\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/beschichtung-silikondichtung-brennstoffzelle-rhenotherm-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-29T07:48:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-16T15:06:37+00:00\",\"description\":\"ZBT and Rhenotherm are developing a special coating for seals in fuel cells to reduce hydrogen permeation.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/beschichtung-silikondichtung-brennstoffzelle-rhenotherm-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/beschichtung-silikondichtung-brennstoffzelle-rhenotherm-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1440,\"caption\":\"Graphical representation of a coating for silicone seals in fuel cells\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"H2Coat - Special coating for silicone seals in fuel cells to reduce permeation\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/\",\"name\":\"Zentrum f\u00fcr BrennstoffzellenTechnik GmbH\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/zbt.de\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"H2Coat - Special coating for silicone seals in fuel cells to reduce permeation - Zentrum f\u00fcr BrennstoffzellenTechnik GmbH","description":"ZBT and Rhenotherm are developing a special coating for seals in fuel cells to reduce hydrogen permeation.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"H2Coat - Special coating for silicone seals in fuel cells to reduce permeation - Zentrum f\u00fcr BrennstoffzellenTechnik GmbH","og_description":"ZBT and Rhenotherm are developing a special coating for seals in fuel cells to reduce hydrogen permeation.","og_url":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/","og_site_name":"Zentrum f\u00fcr BrennstoffzellenTechnik GmbH","article_modified_time":"2026-03-16T15:06:37+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1440,"url":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/beschichtung-silikondichtung-brennstoffzelle-rhenotherm-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/","url":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/","name":"H2Coat - Special coating for silicone seals in fuel cells to reduce permeation - Zentrum f\u00fcr BrennstoffzellenTechnik GmbH","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/beschichtung-silikondichtung-brennstoffzelle-rhenotherm-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2026-01-29T07:48:13+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-16T15:06:37+00:00","description":"ZBT and Rhenotherm are developing a special coating for seals in fuel cells to reduce hydrogen permeation.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/beschichtung-silikondichtung-brennstoffzelle-rhenotherm-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/beschichtung-silikondichtung-brennstoffzelle-rhenotherm-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1440,"caption":"Graphical representation of a coating for silicone seals in fuel cells"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/h2coat-special-coating-for-silicone-seals-in-fuel-cells-to-reduce-permeation\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"H2Coat - Special coating for silicone seals in fuel cells to reduce permeation"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/#website","url":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/","name":"Zentrum f\u00fcr BrennstoffzellenTechnik GmbH","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/projects\/14962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/projects"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/project"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/projects\/14962\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14965,"href":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/projects\/14962\/revisions\/14965"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}