Development of a Novel Niobium-Based Porous Transport Layer for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer Applications

PROJECT COST:

641 268 $

PRIMA CONTRIBUTION:

290 268 $

PROJECT DETAILS:

The proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzer is considered the most promising technology for producing high-purity green hydrogen from renewable energy sources. The remaining challenges include reducing production costs and improving cell durability. In general, titanium-based materials are used as the porous transport layer (PTL) on the anode side of PEM water electrolyzers, where the PTL plays a critical role in cell performance and durability.

However, titanium readily forms a passive surface oxide layer that reduces electrical conductivity. Consequently, porous transport layers are coated with large amounts of precious metals, such as platinum, to ensure adequate long-term performance, which constitutes the major cost component of PEM water electrolyzers.

The objective of Prof. Samaneh Shahgaldi at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) is to develop a low-cost, highly durable coating in order to accelerate the large-scale deployment of this technology. In this project, precious metals such as platinum will be replaced with niobium-based materials. Various treatments and loading levels will be investigated to identify the optimal coating with superior properties. This project will generate new knowledge on niobium-based porous transport layers and elucidate the role of phosphate-based materials as etching agents and dopants for enhancing proton conductivity, which is essential for hydrogen molecule formation.

This project will also support the training of one (1) postdoctoral fellow, three (3) doctoral students, one (1) master’s student in science, and four (4) undergraduate students in the field of hydrogen production.

The two Québec-based industrial partners, Niobay Metals and Arianne Phosphate, aim to open new application markets for niobium and phosphoric acid, respectively. Aligned with Québec’s hydrogen strategy, this project will contribute to job creation and the advancement of new knowledge in the hydrogen sector.