The challenge: reduce iridium usage: Scaling up PEM water electrolysis is crucial to unlocking the full potential of green hydrogen, but a major bottleneck is the amount of iridium required in the catalyst layer. This precious metal is vital for PEM electrolyzers, yet global supply is too limited to support large-scale deployment with current state-of-the-art technologies.

Overcoming challenges with advanced innovations: To tackle the iridium supply challenge, VSParticle and De Nora have introduced innovative solutions to reduce iridium use while maintaining its performance. VSParticle’s single-step dry coating technology for nanoporous layers (NPLs) cuts iridium loading by 4x, while De Nora’s next-gen PTLs optimize performance with low iridium catalysts. Additionally, transitioning from traditional catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs) to Porous Transport Electrodes (PTEs) where thin catalyst layers is applied on porous transport layers (PTLs), enhances the efficiency and recyclability.

Future outlook:
VSParticle is leading the way with a roadmap to scale its advanced technology to GW scale, offering a sustainable solution for large-scale green hydrogen production.