Solvay Aquivion® PFSA Membranes

Solvay Aquivion® PFSA membranes are based on the Short Side Chain (SSC) perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer and have excellent lifetime for fuel cells, electrolyzers, and various electrochemical technologies.  The material’s distinctive Short Side Chain ionomer imparts higher crystallinity, improved mechanical properties, and better proton conductivity compared to PFSA memrbanes that are made from long side chain polymers.

Solvay Aquivion® PFSA membranes are currently being supplied in different equivalent weight (EW), different thicknesses, and chemically stabilized or standard form.  All of the membranes are available in the acid form (H+) and ready to use.

• Very high concentration of functional groups (i.e., sulfonic acid sites) for strong proton (or Na+, K+, Li+, etc.) conductivity
• High softening point for high temperature operation well above 80 ºC
• Strong water retention within the membranes for better low-humidity electrochemical device operation

Aquivion® PFSA’s short side chain polymer makes it possible to achieve either better mechanical properties at the same IEC (ion-exchange capacity) or a higher ion exchange capacity (IEC) at the same mechanical properties than long side chain polymers (LSC).  The side chain comparison of Short Side Chain (SSC) and Long Side Chain (LSC) PFSA membranes from a chemical composition is provided below.

• PEM fuel cells
• PEM water electrolyzers
• Direct methanol fuel cells and direct ethanol fuel cells
• Electrochemical hydrogen pumps or electrochemical hydrogen compressors
• Electrochemical oxygen concentrators
• Electrochemical inerters
• Redox flow batteries
• Electrochemical humidifiers or dehumidifiers
• Pervaporation or gas humidification system