Smoltek Hydrogen, specializing in innovative solutions based on carbon nanotechnology, and Heraeus Precious Metals, a global leader in precious metal solutions, have signed a term sheet on a strategic collaboration on advanced iridium-based catalyst solutions for proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers.

This collaboration marks a significant step toward developing the next generation of PEM electrolyzer technology, supporting the global energy transition with scalable and sustainable solutions.

"By combining our nanostructure technology with Heraeus' expertise in advanced catalyst formulations, we aim to further push the limits of iridium efficiency in PEM electrolyzers, paving the way for cost-effective green hydrogen production," says Ellinor Ehrnberg, President of Smoltek Hydrogen.

Boosting the functionality of PTEs for next-gen PEMWEs

The cooperation partners will combine their knowledge to advance the functional of porous transport electrodes (PTEs), representing the next generation electrodes for PEM electrolyzers.

In this novel concept the porous transport layer, that is required to carry water, hydrogen and oxygen from and to the proton exchange membrane, serves at the same time as electrode and catalytic carrier. For this purpose, it is coated with ultra-thin iridium and platinum containing catalytic layers. The key target is to systematically decrease the necessary amount of platinum group metals, especially of the very scarce iridium, to accelerate green hydrogen production at significantly lower cost and resource usage.

Key factors for an ultra-low iridium solution are a high addressable surface, smallest particle sizes and the formulation of the particles itself, and this is where the skillsets of the partners combine to a unique constellation:

The collaboration combines Smoltek's ultra-low iridium nanostructure technology for the PTL with Heraeus' expertise in advanced catalyst formulations. Smoltek has already achieved 0.1 mg/cm² iridium loading in PEM electrolyzers, and this partnership is expected to further reduce the iridium content, for instance by applying Heraeus' unique ruthenium-iridium catalyst on Smoltek Hydrogen's nanostructured porous transport electrode.

"Heraeus' unique low-iridium catalyst solutions have made them known as the technology leader by everyone in the PEM electrolysis business. Placing this on our nanofibers, which also are designed for ultra-low iridium content, should be a breakthrough creating echoes in the whole industry", Ellinor Ehrnberg, comments.

The partnership reflects the strong synergies between Heraeus' global industrial expertise and Smoltek's innovative solutions based on carbon nanotechnology. It also highlights the increasing importance of reducing iridium dependency in the hydrogen industry, as global demand for PEM electrolyzers continues to rise.

"Collaborating with Smoltek Hydrogen allows us to combine their innovation speed with our industrial experience and scale. Together, we aim to achieve a significant leap in catalyst efficiency and provide solutions that meet the needs of a growing hydrogen market," says Philipp Walter, Executive Vice President, Business Line Hydrogen Systems, Heraeus Precious Metals.

The collaboration itself does not generate any direct revenue and the agreement is non-binding. Nevertheless, Smoltek Hydrogen see it as an important opportunity, as it can give the company better access to the market and the customer base of Smoltek Hydrogen's partners.

About Heraeus Precious Metals

Germany-based Heraeus Precious Metals is part of the Heraeus Group, who has approximately 17,200 employees in 40 countries. Heraeus Precious Metals is a global leader in the precious metals business and covers the value chain from trading to precious metals products to recycling. It has expertise in all platinum group metals as well as gold and silver. Their business line Hydrogen Systems provides a range of products for electrolyzers and fuel cells, particularly electrocatalyst solutions for next-generation applications. To learn more about the products and services they offer visit the website heraeus-precious-metals.com/en/products-solutions-by-category/hydrogen-systems/