PROMISERS: PFAS FREE POLYMER MATERIALS FOR PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE (PEM)-BASED FUEL CELLS AND ELECTROLYSERS.

The PROMISERS project goal lies in the advancement of new non per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) components for PEMFCs and PEMELs utilizing materials based on hydrocarbons and cellulose.

The project will achieve this objective by focusing on developing multiple disruptive approaches for ionomers, membranes, electrode inks and MEAs which are free of PFAS. The project is aligned with sustainability principles, with no projected environmental barriers. Sustainable-by-design approaches and non-harmful materials will be targeted to ensure the environmental compatibility.

Besides sustainability and zero pollution for the material fabrication also aspects such as safe-by-design, scalability and processing routes will be taken in account.

PROMISERS represents a powerhouse consortium, including four major multinational companies: Syensqo (SOF, Chemicals and Polymers), Fumatech (innovative membranes for energy applications), Industrie De Nora (electrochemical industry) and RINA Consulting, two SMEs: Cellfion (sustainable membrane solutions) and Hysytech (engineering), two international research and technology organisations: Leitat, TNO, and an European university: IIT.

PROMISERS will deliver and validate short stacks of PEMFC and PEMEL, targeting performances of > 1.5 Wcm-2 at 0.65 V for PEMFC and 3.0 Acm-2 at 1.8 V for PEMEL and with a degradation rate < 5 µV/hr.

A techno-economic evaluation and exploitation plan will be executed to move from the technological concept (TRL2) to a laboratory scale multicell-stack (TRL4) PEMFC and PEMEL to ensure a fast-track for its commercialisation.