Ionomr Innovations Inc. has released its breakthrough Aemion+® membrane technology for industrial-scale green hydrogen production by water electrolysis.
The Aemion+® alkaline membranes are ultra-stable anion exchange membranes (AEMs) designed to eliminate the traditional expensive components for water electrolysis – such as iridium, platinum and titanium, replacing these with less expensive materials while maximizing performance.
“The launch of Aemion+® marks an important milestone in Ionomr’s strategic evolution to support the production of green hydrogen for industrial solutions,” said Bill Haberlin, CEO of Ionomr Innovations. “AEMs are no longer limited to research in the lab. We are ready to take orders for our industrial-scale Aemion+® membranes at widths up to 60 cm, produced using our continuous roll-to-roll processes. Our Aemion+® membranes enable OEMs to produce the lowest possible cost electrolyzer solutions, providing a clear pathway to 2050 green hydrogen cost targets in the immediate term.”
Ionomr customers recognize the significance of the progress. Thijs de Groot, Innovation Technologist, Nouryon BV said: “Ionomr seems to have corrected one of the very difficult challenges in membrane science, which is finding an anion exchange membrane that is stable in concentrated KOH solutions. That was always very difficult – people basically said ‘it’s impossible,’ but Ionomr has succeeded.”
The central component of an electrolyzer is the ion-conducting membrane. How the membrane is made has a major influence on efficiency, reliability, and lifetime. Ionomr membranes allow more reliable, efficient and compact intermittent power-to-renewable fuel conversion processes, enabling production of the lowest-cost green hydrogen and green fuels needed to decarbonize the global economy.
Current solutions for water electrolysis are not competitive with traditional fuels, and Ionomr is working with major customers from the energy, chemical, and heavy industries, such as mining, to make AEM electrolyzer technology that can meet and exceed 2050 cost targets a reality today. This creates the foundation for competitive and rapidly scalable business models in the production and supply of green hydrogen.
Aemion+® is produced roll-to-roll in a continuous process with a mechanical reinforcement at thicknesses between 50 and 100 µm. The next-generation materials are based on imidazolium chemistry which is widely used in aerospace and as thin-film coatings due to their exceptional mechanical properties. Mechanical reinforcements are further integrated to reduce unwanted dimensional swelling for suitability in the largest size electrolyzer cells. Ionomr’s patented processes enable maximum conductivity, performance and repeatability, while also providing the greatest alkaline stability of any ion exchange materials available.
