Webinar

Background

Commercial polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) technology for fuel cells and electrolyzers is typically based on perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers (PFSA), but PFSA-based materials are facing increased regulatory barriers globally due to potentially detrimental environmental impacts of the chemicals used during manufacturing as well as of the degradation products of the ionomer materials themselves. Furthermore, these membrane materials are expensive, representing, for example in the case of heavy-duty PEM fuel cells, ~10% of the total stack cost at high manufacturing volumes, and they limit the operating temperature of the PEM cell.

In order to address this emergent PEM fuel cell and electrolyzer supply chain sustainability challenge, the US Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) will convene a webinar of stakeholders in coordination with the Mission Innovation Clean Hydrogen Mission. 

The webinar will discuss current PFSA manufacturing and integration challenges from the perspective of membrane suppliers and stack/system manufacturers, as well as the materials, performance, durability and manufacturing challenges associated with potentially lower-cost, environmentally friendly alternatives to standard PFSA ionomers and membranes. The webinar will explore and facilitate international collaboration and coordination on expediting the advancement of electrolyzer and fuel cell technology.