Develop Hydrophilic Conductive Coating Technology with High Oxidation Resistance for Non-Flow-Through PEM Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers

ElectroChem proposes to develop oxidation resistant, electrically conductive, hydrophilic coatings in PEM fuel cells and in PEM electrolyzers. The use of hydrophilic coatings can improve the transport of the water within the cells resulting in higher electrochemical performance. However, the successful development of oxidation resistant hydrophilic coatings will be the key requirement due to the fuel cell and electrolyzer oxidation environmentOxidation resistant coatings will be developed on metal substrates using both inorganic and organic coating processes using conductive hydrophilic materials. In these processes, cross-linking of the inorganic and organic materials with the metallic substrate is a key to successfully obtaining coatings with excellent performance and durability. Advanced methods will be developed to control the degree of cross-linking and retaining hydrophilicity in order to obtain the required oxidation resistance for the electrically conductive, hydrophilic coatings.

All coatings developed in Ph I will be tested for oxidation resistance, conductivity, and hydrophilic character. In Ph II, the most promising coatings will be evaluated via their performance in PEM non-flow-through fuel cells and in electrolyzers.