Hydrogen Fuel Cells & Electrolyzers

VERSIV™ is a Saint-Gobain Composite Solutions tradename describing a variety of high-performance, flexible, transparent films typically used as a barrier layer in various applications, including fuel cells. VERSIV™ films are engineered to provide a range of properties, such as high gas and moisture barrier, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and optical clarity. They can be tailored to meet specific performance requirements based on the intended use and application. These films are customizable to meet the specific needs of fuel cell and electrolyzer applications. 
 

We have different products in use in hydrogen applications. These hydrogen-oriented films include: 

PTFE-coated Polyimides (e.g., VERSIV™ DF2919) 

Mod. PTFE and virgin PTFE (e.g., VERSIV™ 0200) 

PTFE-coated glass fabric such as VERSIV™ CF205 or VERSIV™ SRF205 

ETFEs, PFAs, PVDFs 

Our films are used in the manufacturing or assembly process of fuel cell and electrolyzer components or in the production of membranes used to separate the anode and cathode of the cell. In this context, films play a role in improving the performance or durability of fuel cell systems. 

Monolayer films have many potential applications, including electronic devices, sensors, catalysis, and surface coatings. Specific uses include: 

Surface coatings: Our films can be used as surface coatings to modify the properties of a material. For example, a monolayer film of a hydrophobic material makes a surface water-repellent. 
Lubricants: VERSIV™™ films can be used to reduce friction between surfaces.  

Process aid for Decal Transfer Method (DTM): Our films can be used as a substrate/carrier during the Decal Transfer Method. Our materials are ideal for the process as they provide smooth and homogenous surfaces and very tight thickness control. It means the coating process can be optimized during the DTM, resulting in very thin catalyst layers, improving the efficiency of the MEA and the overall stack. The used surface energies also allow both wettability and release. 
 

The efficiency of an MEA refers to the ability of the fuel cell to convert the chemical energy stored in a fuel (such as hydrogen) into electrical energy. Improving an MEA requires optimizing the materials used, the operating conditions, and the fuel cell design, all helping make fuel cell technology more efficient and cost-effective. 

The thinner the catalyst layer, the easier the gas transfer in the fuel cell and, thus, the higher the efficiency of the MEA itself. The material minimizes the potential for a short. Our materials used as substrates for Decal Transfer Method (DTM) show smooth and homogenous surfaces and very tight thickness control. It means the coating process can be optimized during the DTM, resulting in very thin catalyst layers, improving the efficiency of the MEA and the overall stack. 

The thinner and tighter tolerance thickness of VERSIV™ gasket materials makes for tighter tolerance chains and supports a decrease in overall stack size. 

There is plentiful variety of catalyst inks in use in the market today and under development for future use. Our substrates are compatible with all known formulations so far.

Rigidity and assembly depend on customer stack, gasket design, and used materials and thicknesses. In general, we have non-rigid and very thin materials in use but also materials in mm thickness which are very stiff. Regarding assembly, we can support kiss-cut processes and adopt customer packing requirements. As well as that, we can make the gaskets slightly tacky or even coat them with pressure or temperature-sensitive adhesives to support customer stack assembly and serial production processes. 

We do not test in stacks/systems internally, but customer durability tests show we meet customer requirements. These requirements differ from customer to customer and vary mainly between 5,000 hours and 25,000 hours running time. 

Usually, there is a trade-off between efficiency and durability. For example, the thicker the membrane, the more durable the system is, but the lower the efficiency, as the gas transfer is better with thinner membranes. In terms of creep, we have good results as we have materials in our portfolio using, for example, glass fabric or polyimide (PI) as reinforcement which decreases creep significantly.