Combinatorial Design of Novel Bipolar Plate Coatings for Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers
The CoDe-PEM Project started in 2019 and ended in 2024. Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysers (PEME) are widely used to make hydrogen gas from renewable energy. As the demand for hydrogen as a fuel grows, lower cost electrolysers are needed. The CoDe-PEM project aimed to contribute towards the development of affordable PEM electrolysis systems with the development of lower cost coating materials for bipolar plates and sinters. In order to lower the costs, a reduction in use of expensive materials and the introduction of new low(er) cost materials are key elements. In addition, new materials should allow for fast and low-cost manufacturing processes, such as stamping of BPP flow structures. The most important achievements of the CoDe-PEM Project include:
• Establishment of a successful partnership based on knowledge sharing and focused on developing technical solutions for hydrogen energy optimization, a subject less explored in Romania.
• Development of a research tool for accelerated innovation via thin film compositional spreads, facilitated by equipment for magnetron sputtering purchased with project funds and installed at the Romanian partner's institution.
• Development of methods for accurate measurement of interfacial contact resistance, a critical characteristic of bipolar plate performance.
• Identification of coating compositions with reduced platinum content and less expensive substrates for use in bipolar plates.
• Organization of webinars on green energy in Norway and Romania, attracting audiences from around the world
Project Details
The project started in 2019 and ended in 2024.
The project is funded by the EEA and UEFISCDI (project EEA RO-NO-2018-0502)
Podcast about the project:
The project was managed by UPT Romania who developed new coatings using physical vapour deposition. SINTEF tested the new coatings in operational electrolysers.