Nafion™ Membranes in Transportation

Driving Sustainability

Whether powering a supply chain or helping you get to the grocery store, transportation is a critical component of modern life. As companies and consumers demand more, the transportation industry is finding renewable energy is a viable clean energy alternative. For transport applications, the hydrogen fuel cell is the most common type of fuel cell.

While indispensable, transportation represents the largest single source of CO₂ emissions in the US. Technology enables us to work, shop, and communicate globally without ever leaving our homes, however, the need to move people and goods from one place to another will not disappear. As the world demands more sustainable solutions, many industries are seeking energy sources beyond fossil fuels. The automotive industry is no exception, and is leveraging fuel cells in the effort to help preserve our shared planet.

Sustainability is a major benefit of using fuel cells in transportation, especially as global, national, and regional regulations mandate reductions in CO₂ and other atmosphere-damaging emissions. If cells are used to produce energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen, the output is water. If a fossil fuel like natural gas is used, the process generates significantly lower CO₂ emissions than it would in a power plant. Because fuel cells produce clean electricity regardless of the input they are a great option when seeking sustainable solutions.

Transforming Transportation with Fuel Cells Using Nafion™ Membranes

Vehicles powered by fuel cells have the potential to reduce both greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and dependence on oil. Unlike traditional engines, fuel cells have no moving parts and do not require complicated mechanical gearboxes to transmit power. They do not wear down and will operate reliably as long as a fuel source is available. By contrast, standard mechanical engines typically last no more than 10 years. 7 Hydrogen fuel cells enable vehicle versatility, efficiency, and sustainability.

Nafion™ Membranes Let the Future In

Nafion™ membranes and dispersions have remained at the epicenter of solutions for the most demanding transportation applications because they are backed by years of real-world experience.

These products were critical components in fuel cells that powered essential systems in NASA’s Gemini spacecraft. Today, Nafion™ membranes and dispersions are used in fuel cells that make electric vehicles possible.

The adoption of hydrogen-powered PEM fuel cells has already begun, but the opportunities abound. This is due in part to the operational efficiencies and sustainable qualities of PEMs, which make them viable alternatives to traditional power sources in transportation industries.

The Best Way to Predict the Future: Create It

Engineers selecting Nafion™ membranes and dispersions will benefit because they have partnered with experts in:

• Ionomer/polymer chemistry: The Chemours Company continues to deliver state-of-the-art chemistries that lie at the heart of modern fuel cells.
• Stable electrochemistry: Products built with Nafion™ membranes and dispersions benefit from the expertise and innovation in electrode chemistry that prevents degradation.
• Production scalability: With industrialized processes in place, Chemours meets global demands for large volumes of Nafion™ membranes and dispersions.