Cation Exchange PFSA Ionomer Dispersion (Aquivion) for Proton-Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer and Fuel Cell, 10 mL/bottle, CPEMEFCCEPFSAID

Aquivion® is a line of high-performance Perfluorinated Sulfonic Acid (PFSA) ionomers and membranes produced by Solvay. While it shares the same fluorinated DNA as Nafion, it belongs to the "Short Side Chain" (SSC) family of ionomers, which gives it distinct thermal and electrochemical advantages.

The primary difference between Aquivion and standard Nafion is the length and structure of the side chain attached to the PTFE backbone. (1) Standard Nafion (Long Side Chain): Has a long, flexible side chain containing an additional ether group. (2) Aquivion (Short Side Chain): Has a significantly shorter, more rigid side chain with no intermediate ether linkage.

Because the side chains are shorter and more compact, Aquivion exhibits several superior physical properties compared to traditional PFSA ionomers: (1) Higher Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): Aquivion has a Tg of approximately 140°C to 150°C (compared to ~110°C for Nafion). This allows fuel cells and electrolyzers to operate at higher temperatures without the polymer softening or losing structural integrity. (2) Enhanced Crystallinity: The shorter chains allow the PTFE backbones to pack more tightly. This results in better mechanical strength and lower gas crossover even when the membrane is thin. (3) Higher Proton Conductivity: Aquivion can be manufactured with a lower Equivalent Weight (EW)—as low as 700–800 g/eq—without becoming physically unstable or dissolving in water. A lower EW means more acid sites and higher power density.

The main applications for the Aquivion PFSA ionomer are: (1) High-Temperature PEM Fuel Cells: Enables operation above 95°C, which simplifies cooling systems and improves tolerance to impurities in the hydrogen gas. (2) PEM Water Electrolysis (PEMWE): Its high mechanical strength allows for thinner membranes, reducing the voltage required to split water and increasing efficiency. (3) Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB): The high crystallinity helps block the crossover of vanadium ions, leading to longer battery life and better capacity retention

References: 

1. Y. Garsanyi, et al. Improving PEMFC Performance Using Short-Side-Chain Low-Equivalent-Weight PFSA Ionomer in the Cathode Catalyst Layer, J. Electrochem. Soc., 2018, 165, F381.
2. X. Wu, et al. Polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyser with Aquivion® short side chain perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer binder in catalyst layers, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2012, 37, 13243-13248.