Ionomr Innovations Inc., developer and manufacturer of polymer and membrane technologies for next-generation H₂ applications, released a catalyst coated membrane (CCM) based on its Aemion anion exchange membranes (AEMs) for reference development of low-cost green H₂ systems. This marks a new era in green H₂ production with CCMs that contain no iridium and are void of the toxic perfluorinated (PFSA) substances that conventional materials contain.

“Ionomr is releasing these CCMs as part of our reference design strategy to enable our partners with ready-made products. By working directly with leading electrode manufacturers, we’re establishing a supply chain around AEM that will allow for cost-effectiveness and rapid scale-up,” said Bill Haberlin, Chief Executive Officer, Ionomr Innovations Inc. “Incorporated into the CCM, Ionomr’s materials will help drive down the cost of electrolyzers and improve devices' performance and efficiency without sacrificing durability.”

Green H₂ production by electrolysis typically relies on rare and expensive noble metal components such as iridium ($185k/kg), which, conventionally, are the preferred catalysts for producing H₂ through electrolysis at scale using intermittent renewables. The total production capacity of iridium is approximately 7.5 tpy which represents only 30 GW/yr potential electrolyzer production at today’s catalyst loading and is one of the major limitations in expanding green H₂ production to meet ambitious global targets.

Precious metal-free systems are available using alkaline technology with porous separators; however, these continue to struggle with ramping up and down to match electricity profiles from renewable power due to separator challenges in preventing the H₂ and oxygen from mixing. For flexible membrane-based technologies, PFSAs are the conventional polymer electrolyte membrane material. PFSAs are known to be harmful, bioaccumulative environmental toxins that cause dire health effects.

Through significant reduction in precious metal usage, the capital expense (CAPEX) of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), and therefore the stack and system, are reduced dramatically. This reduction in CAPEX along with the high efficiency provided by the CCM enable significant reductions in operating expense (OPEX), by reducing the cost of capital contribution to the H₂ price when paired with intermittent renewables which have a low-capacity factor. Use of these low-capacity factor electricity sources is the only way to provide the electricity prices needed to produce H₂ at below $2/kg, and the release of AEM-based CCMs marks a major step forward in competitive green H₂ production.

Ionomr synthesizes membranes and polymers from a hydrocarbon base that demonstrates no bio-accumulative tendencies and are non-toxic to the environment through production and disposal. Ionomr’s materials are recyclable and enable system circularity by environmentally friendly catalyst recovery, making them the ideal replacements for standard membrane and polymer products containing PFAS.

Ionomr is advancing the scale-up of electrolyzers for industrial-scale green H₂ production by water electrolysis working with partners in Europe, North America and Asia, and now providing a CCM for reference development.