Efficiently Green: Innovative precious metal deposition for the energy transition

Efficiently Green: Innovative precious metal deposition for the energy transition

Hamburg, 05.08.2024 - As part of the "PROCOAT" feasibility study, OrelTech GmbH and its ATMOcoat division for renewable energy coatings are currently verifying a newly developed precious metal deposition process for the production of key components in PEM electrolysers. The proprietary Ambient Rapid Metallization (ARM) process promises to increase precious metal deposition efficiency from less than 60% to over 95% compared to established processes such as Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD). ATMOcoat is receiving funding from the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) for the implementation of the "PROCOAT" project.

Powering Tomorrow: Hydrogen innovations from production to application

Various technologies are required along the hydrogen value chain - from production to transportation, storage and processing through to final use. Innovation at each of these steps is key to realizing the full potential of hydrogen in the transformation to a CO2-neutral economy. At the same time, each step offers opportunities for industrial value creation.

In the future, hydrogen is to be produced primarily by means of water electrolysis. Technologies and methods for the production of components for hydrogen electrolysis with better performance and/or lower costs - and with lower consumption of scarce metals - represent an important area of research and development and will continue to do so in the future.

A revolution in precious metal deposition for the hydrogen industry

The aim of the "PROCOAT" feasibility study is to evaluate the efficacy of the newly developed, patented Ambient Rapid Metallization (ARM) process for precious metal deposition developed by ATMOcoat and OrelTech for the development of key components in PEM electrolyser stacks. ARM technology enables surface metallization to be carried out in a single production step, at atmospheric pressure (i.e. without a vacuum), and selectively, as with printing processes. The project focuses on the electrochemical characterization of platinum-coated transport membranes - an essential component of every PEM cell. Other topics under investigation are the gold and platinum coating of bipolar plates and the direct deposition of catalytic metals on cell membranes. The project thus creates the prerequisites for a broad spectrum of improvements in precious metal deposition in green hydrogen production.