🔬 Overview of Nafion™ Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) Membranes

🌟 Recommended Models: NR211 · NR212 · N115 · N117

✅ Key Features

• High-performance proton exchange membranes (PEMs)

• Outstanding chemical and thermal stability

• Designed for use in fuel cells, water electrolysis, vanadium redox flow batteries, and more

• Chemours original import (formerly DuPont)

📌 Product Description

Nafion™ membranes, developed by Chemours, are based on a PFSA–PTFE copolymer structure, combining high proton conductivity, mechanical robustness, and chemical resistance. They are widely used in:

• PEM fuel cells

• Water electrolysis cells (hydrogen/oxygen production)

• Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs)

• Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs)

• Electrodialysis systems and electrochemical sensors

📊 Model Comparison Table

🔍 Model Highlights

✅ NR211 (25.4 μm)

• Ultra-thin membrane with low ionic resistance

• Non-reinforced, excellent flexibility, ideal for MEA stacking

• Suitable for high-power density PEM fuel cells

• ⚠ Comes with a PET backing layer—must be removed before use

✅ NR212 (50.8 μm)

• Twice the thickness of NR211, offering better gas barrier performance

• Recommended for PEM water electrolyzers or other mid-pressure applications

• Non-reinforced structure, good mechanical compliance

✅ N115 (127 μm)

• Extruded membrane with balanced thickness and durability

• Excellent for continuous operation and high thermal stability

• ⚠ No backing layer—ready to use out of the package

• 💡 Tensile Strength: 43 MPa (MD); Water Uptake: ~38%; IEC: ≥ 0.90 meq/g

✅ N117 (183 μm)

• Thick, stable membrane with low gas crossover

• Preferred in DMFCs, hydrogen generators, and VRFBs

• 💡 Tensile Strength: 43 MPa (MD); Water Uptake: ~38%; IEC: ≥ 0.90 meq/g

📦 Packaging & Storage Guidelines

• Supplied in dry form, sealed in vacuum aluminum foil to prevent contamination or deactivation

• Unopened: Store in a cool, dry place, away from light and moisture

• Opened: Store in deionized water at 4–8°C, sealed. Do not freeze or expose to open air for extended periods

❓ FAQ | Technical Guidance & Best Practices

1️⃣ How to pre-treat N115 / N117 membranes for water electrolysis?

Recommended 4-Step Pre-treatment Protocol:

1. Organic Removal
   → Soak in 5 wt.% H₂O₂ at 80°C for 1 hour to remove residual organics.

2. Rinse & Boil
   → Rinse with deionized water thoroughly. Boil in DI water at 80°C for 1 hour to eliminate H₂O₂ residue.

3. Acid Conversion (Optional)
   → Immerse in 1.0 M H₂SO₄ at 80°C for 1 hour to convert to the H⁺ form.

4. Final Rinse & Heat Treatment
   → Rinse until neutral pH. Repeat boiling in DI water at 80°C for 1 hour, 2–3 cycles for best results.

📌 Simplified Option: If resources are limited, a single-step soak in 1.0 M H₂SO₄ at 80°C for 1 hour is also acceptable.

2️⃣ How to pre-treat NR211 / NR212 for PEM fuel cell use?

⚠ NR-series membranes are solution-cast, thin, and non-reinforced, typically with a PET or paper liner.
🚨 Always remove the liner before use.

Suggested Pre-treatment:

• Step 1 – Surface Clean: Soak membrane in DI water at 60–80°C for 30 min to remove surface residues.

• Step 2 – Acid Activation: Soak in 3–5 wt.% H₂SO₄ or HNO₃ at 70–80°C for 30 min to protonate sulfonic groups.

• Step 3 – Final Rinse: Rinse thoroughly with DI water until pH ≈7. Optionally, boil in DI water at 80°C for 30 min.

💡 Tips:

• Use only high-purity DI water (>18 MΩ·cm)

• Avoid H₂O₂ or other oxidants on NR-series to prevent damage

• After treatment, store membranes submerged in DI water at 4–8°C, use within 1 week

3️⃣ Can Nafion™ membranes be used for MEA hot pressing?

✅ Yes, but follow model-specific conditions to avoid delamination or thermal damage:

4️⃣ What is the lifespan of Nafion™ membranes in electrolysis?

• Typical durability: 2,000 – 10,000 hours

• Recommended operation temp: 60–80°C

• Avoid strong oxidizers/reducers

• Monitor for color change, blistering, or delamination as signs of degradation

5️⃣ Can membranes be reused?

• May be reused after cleaning, but conductivity and mechanical strength may decline

• Replace if yellowing, embrittlement, or structural failure is observed

6️⃣ How to store unused membranes?

• Store in sealed bags, cool and dry

• After activation, store in DI water at 4–8°C, tightly sealed

• ❌ Do NOT freeze or allow to air dry

📦 Custom sizes, bulk orders, COA and QC reports available.
📍 Learn more at: SCI Materials Hub 🌐 www.scimaterials.cn