Smoltek is awarded a new patent in a new patent family internally called, Electro Catalyst Support, which is targeted towards the production of green H₂. This innovation discloses how our carbon nanofibers can support the iridium catalyst load in a PEM-electrolyzer in a better way. This technology also increases the output per area of the cell.

“With this new patent family Smoltek expands its IP portfolio to include the field of green H₂ production. This is a breakthrough for us as we now can be a key supplier of technical solutions that enable the H₂ industry to scale up the production of PEM electrolyzers,” said Fabian Wenger, Head of R&D at Smoltek H₂.

The Electro Catalyst Support patent family is covering an electrolyzer and a method for producing a catalyst supported on a nanostructure. The innovation relates to devices used in electrolysis, particularly for the electrolysis of water, a way of producing H₂ gas without fossil fuels. It provides means of converting excess electrical energy from intermittent energy sources, such as wind and solar power to chemical energy for storage and later use.

The approved claims cover an electrolyzer containing elongated, vertically oriented nanostructures used to create a connection between the catalyst particles on the protected nanostructure and in contact with the membrane providing conducting paths for both ions and electrons. The technology is suitable for nanostructures that are at least partially covered by a protective layer designed to increase resistance to corrosion (i.e., so they are durable for use on the anode side of the PEM electrolyzer).