Materials for Green Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Powering a net-zero future with hydrogen fuel cell materials

The use of hydrogen technology in transportation is gaining traction. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) come equipped with advantages designed to navigate toward the United Nations' target of a net-zero emission planet by 2050. FCEVs produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants and reduce oil dependence. Fuel cells use hydrogen to propel an electrochemical process for electricity generation and leave behind only water vapor, offering a clean, reliable, quiet, and efficient source of high-quality electric power. 

Syensqo is committed to advancing the development and wider commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell technology for transportation and to power other systems that are increasingly reliant on clean hydrogen, such as backup power units. We have made significant investments in Research and Innovation (R&I) to find new applications for our advanced materials and drive greater adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology in the market. Syensqo's broad offer for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells is designed to address cost, performance, and durability requirements, from the unit cell, or membrane electrode assembly (MEA), to the fuel cell stack, to balance of plant applications such as air and thermal management systems. 

Advanced Material Solutions for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles eGuide

Top solutions for PEM fuel cells

Syensqo's green hydrogen solutions center on the three main areas of the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell: the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the fuel cell stack and the balance of plant. Key solutions include: 

• For MEA: Aquivion® ionomers
• For Fuel Cell Stack: Radel® PPSU HYRA, Torlon® PAI, Amodel® PPA, Ryton® PPS
• For Balance of Plant: Amodel® PPA, Ryton® PPS

High-performance materials for PEM fuel cells

For PEM fuel cell systems, Syensqo combines a portfolio of advanced materials with our proven application knowledge in manufacturing-oriented design to address requirements in vital applications, such as membrane electrode assemblies, sub-gaskets, endplates, bipolar plates, air management systems and thermal management systems, among others.    

Main applications and usages for hydrogen fuel cell technology 

Syensqo solutions are driving green hydrogen fuel cell design. Our high-performance materials for proton exchange membrane (PEM) hydrogen fuel cell technology are found all throughout the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), fuel cell stack and auxiliary systems (balance of plant). 

Membrane electrode assembly (MEA)

For the membrane electrode assembly, we offer Aquivion®, based on a chemically stabilized, ion-conducting polymer that exhibits superior durability. This versatile material is suitable for both the membrane as well as the catalyst binders.  

Fuel cell stack

The fuel cell stack refers to applications within the stack itself, including bipolar plates, sub-gaskets, sealing, endplates and media distribution. For instance, for fuel cell components that need to be lightweight and easy to manufacture, we offer Ryton® PPS and  Amodel® PPA  for endplates, Radel® PPSU HYRA for sub-gaskets and  Torlon® PAI  for bipolar plate coatings, all of which facilitate serial production requirements and offer good resistance properties.  

Balance of Plant (BoP)

Balance of plant refers to the hydrogen fuel cell components and supporting auxiliary systems involved in the supply of air and hydrogen, and in thermal management to the fuel cell stack. Our product portfolio includes Amodel® PPA and Ryton® PPS, both of which ensure excellent performance within the hydrogen fuel cell system in applications such as water pumps, thermostatic multi-flow valves, knock-off valves, hydrogen injection components and electric motors. Additionally, Ryton® PPS offers thermal, mechanical, dimensional and chemical stability for fuel cell system components such as valves and hydrogen loop tubes.