Youveim® Hydrophilic Microporous-Layer Titanium Fiber Paper (Titanium Felt)

Double-Sided Hydrophilicity · MPL Interface Engineering · An Advanced Diffusion Layer for High-Performance Water Electrolysis

As water electrolysis technologies such as PEMWE and AEMWE continue to evolve toward higher current densities, longer lifetimes, and greater operational stability, diffusion layer materials are no longer evaluated solely on corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity. Instead, gas–liquid management, interfacial wettability, and long-term performance consistency have become decisive factors.

Youveim® Hydrophilic Microporous-Layer Titanium Fiber Paper (Titanium Felt with MPL) addresses these challenges through a comprehensive interface-engineering approach. Built upon conventional titanium fiber paper, it integrates a single-side sintered titanium powder microporous layer (MPL) and further applies double-sided hydrophilic surface engineering, achieving a fundamental upgrade from structural stability to controlled electrochemical interfaces.

This material is especially well suited for high-performance water electrolysis research and device validation, particularly on the anodic side.

Product Architecture and Core Design

Three-Layer Synergistic Structure

Titanium Fiber Skeleton Layer
A three-dimensional sintered titanium fiber network providing:

• High electrical conductivity

• Mechanical robustness

• Excellent corrosion resistance

Microporous Layer (MPL, single side)

• Titanium powder coating followed by high-temperature sintering

• Forms a continuous and mechanically stable pore-regulation layer

Double-Sided Hydrophilic Surface Engineering

• Hydrophilic treatment applied to both the MPL side and the back titanium fiber side

• Ensures consistent wettability across the entire thickness

Key Parameters

• Thickness: 0.4 mm

• Total porosity: ~30%

Why Double-Sided Hydrophilicity Matters

The Limitation of Single-Sided Wettability

In practical electrolyzer operation, a diffusion layer interacts with multiple functional interfaces:

• One side contacts the catalyst layer / electrode

• The opposite side interfaces with the current collector, flow field, or electrolyte inlet

If only one side is hydrophilic, the system may suffer from:

• Delayed wetting on the back side

• Non-uniform liquid distribution

• Local dry spots or gas accumulation

Youveim® solves this by adopting a double-sided hydrophilic design, significantly improving overall fluid-management consistency.

Practical Benefits of Double-Sided Hydrophilicity

✔ Rapid electrolyte spreading from either direction
Whether electrolyte enters from the flow-field side or the electrode side, it quickly wets the entire diffusion layer structure.

✔ Reduced sensitivity to assembly orientation
The diffusion layer does not require strict front–back distinction during assembly, reducing human error and improving experimental reproducibility.

✔ More stable gas–liquid interface control
Gas bubbles detach more easily while liquid is continuously replenished, lowering local concentration polarization.

✔ Better compatibility with bipolar plates and high-pressure operation
Uniform wetting is maintained even under fluctuating pressure and current density conditions.

Microporous Layer + Double-Sided Hydrophilicity: A Stable Interface Strategy

Enhanced Interfacial Stability

• The MPL partially fills large pores within the fiber structure

• Reduces uncontrolled “through-plane flooding”

• Double-sided hydrophilicity ensures uniform liquid distribution across the full thickness

Result:
A more stable reaction interface with reduced polarization fluctuations.

Optimized Electrical Contact and Current Distribution

• Sintered titanium powder and fiber substrate form a continuous metallic network

• Double-sided wetting minimizes local contact resistance

• Current density distribution becomes more uniform

This is particularly beneficial for high-precision electrochemical characterization and durability testing.

Hierarchical Pore Architecture (~30% Porosity)

• Microporous layer: hundreds of nanometers to a few micrometers

• Fiber skeleton layer: tens of micrometers

With double-sided hydrophilicity:

• The MPL does not form “dry blockage”

• The fiber layer avoids gas-lock phenomena

This structure maintains effective gas–liquid balance under medium to high current density operation.

Catalyst Loading and Long-Term Stability Advantages

• Smoother MPL surface enables uniform and continuous catalyst distribution

• Double-sided hydrophilicity keeps the catalyst layer consistently wetted

• Reduces risks of catalyst migration, agglomeration, and delamination

Compatible catalyst systems include:
IrO₂, RuO₂, Pt, and Pt black

Comparison with Alternative Materials

vs. Conventional Titanium Fiber Paper

• Lower porosity with stronger interfacial stability

• Double-sided hydrophilicity ensures more uniform wetting

• Better suited for high-performance and long-duration testing

vs. Carbon Paper with MPL

• Titanium substrate does not oxidize or carbonize

• Maintains stability in strongly oxidative OER environments

• Better aligned with PEMWE and AEMWE engineering requirements

Handling and Usage Recommendations

Installation Orientation

• MPL side is recommended to face the catalyst layer

• Double-sided hydrophilicity provides high tolerance to assembly orientation

Catalyst Deposition

• Spray catalyst ink onto the MPL surface

• Dry at 60–80 °C

• Optional sintering at 350–450 °C to enhance adhesion

Cleaning and Storage

• Ultrasonic cleaning in DI water or ethanol

• Dry and store in sealed conditions

• Avoid exposure to HF or strong acids

Technical Specifications

Conclusion

Youveim® Hydrophilic Microporous-Layer Titanium Fiber Paper (Titanium Felt) achieves a decisive performance upgrade through the combination of:

• Microporous-layer structural engineering

• Double-sided hydrophilic surface control

This results in:

• More stable electrochemical interfaces

• More uniform wetting and mass transport

• Higher experimental reproducibility and assembly tolerance

It is not merely an incremental improvement over conventional titanium felt, but a purpose-designed functional material for next-generation high-current-density water electrolysis research and validation.

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Notes

• Prices above refer to standard double-sided hydrophilic treatment

• Enhanced (super-hydrophilic) or single-side hydrophilic versions are available upon request

• Custom sizes and specifications can be provided

• Suitable for PEMWE / AEMWE anode diffusion layer applications

Partial references citing our materials (from Google Scholar)

Carbon Dioxide Reduction

1. ACS Nano Strain Relaxation in Metal Alloy Catalysts Steers the Product Selectivity of Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction

The bipolar membrane (Fumasep FBM) in this paper was purchased from SCI Materials Hub, which was used in rechargeable Zn-CO₂ battery tests. The authors reported a strain relaxation strategy to determine lattice strains in bimetal MNi alloys (M = Pd, Ag, and Au) and realized an outstanding CO₂-to-CO Faradaic efficiency of 96.6% with outstanding activity and durability toward a Zn-CO₂ battery.

2. Front. Chem. Boosting Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction on Atomically Dispersed Nickel Catalyst

In this paper, Vulcan XC-72R was purchased from SCI Materials Hub. Vulcan XC 72R carbon is the most common catalyst support used in the anode and cathode electrodes of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC), Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC), Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC), Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC), Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC), and many more!

3. Adv. Mater. Partially Nitrided Ni Nanoclusters Achieve Energy-Efficient Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction to CO at Ultralow Overpotential

An AEM membrane (Sustainion X37-50 Grade RT, purchased from SCI Materials Hub) was activated in 1 M KOH for 24 h, washed with ultra-purity water prior to use.

4. Adv. Funct. Mater. Nanoconfined Molecular Catalysts in Integrated Gas Diffusion Electrodes for High-Current-Density CO₂ Electroreduction

In this paper (Supporting Information), an anion exchanged membrane (Fumasep FAB-PK-130 obtained from SCI Materials Hub (www.scimaterials.cn)) was used to separate the catholyte and anolyte chambers.

SCI Materials Hub: we also recommend our Fumasep FAB-PK-75 for the use in a flow cell.

5. Appl. Catal. B Efficient utilization of nickel single atoms for CO₂ electroreduction by constructing 3D interconnected nitrogen-doped carbon tube network

In this paper, the Nafion 117 membrane was obtained from SCI Materials Hub.

6. Vacuum Modulable Cu(0)/Cu(I)/Cu(II) sites of Cu/C catalysts derived from MOF for highly selective CO₂ electroreduction to hydrocarbons

In this paper, Proton exchange membrane (Nafion 117), Nafion D520, and Toray 060 carbon paper were purchased from SCI Materials Hub.

7. National Science Review Confinement of ionomer for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction via efficient mass transfer pathways

An anion exchange membrane (PiperION-A15-HCO3) was obtained from SCI Materials Hub.

8. Catalysis Communications Facilitating CO2 electroreduction to C2H4 through facile regulating {100} & {111} grain boundary of Cu2O

Carbon paper (TGPH060), membrane solution (Nafion D520), and ionic membrane (Nafion N117) were obtained from Wuhu Eryi Material Technology Co., Ltd (a company under SCI Materials Hub).

Batteries

1. J. Mater. Chem. A Blocking polysulfides with a Janus Fe3C/N-CNF@RGO electrode via physiochemical confinement and catalytic conversion for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries

Graphene oxide (GO) in this paper was obtained from SCI Materials Hub. The authors introduced a Janus Fe3C/N-CNF@RGO electrode consisting of 1D Fe3C decorated N-doped carbon nanofibers (Fe3C/N-CNFs) side and 2D reduced graphene oxide (RGO) side as the free-standing carrier of Li2S6 catholyte to improve the overall electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries.

2. Joule A high-voltage and stable zinc-air battery enabled by dual-hydrophobic-induced proton shuttle shielding

This paper used more than 10 kinds of materials from SCI Materials Hub and the authors gave detailed properity comparsion.

The commercial IEMs of Fumasep FAB-PK-130 and Nafion N117 were obtained from SCI Materials Hub.

Gas diffusion layers of GDL340 (CeTech) and SGL39BC (Sigracet) and Nafion dispersion (Nafion D520) were obtained from SCI Materials Hub.

Zn foil (100 mm thickness) and Zn powder were obtained from the SCI Materials Hub.

Commercial 20% Pt/C, 40% Pt/C and IrO2 catalysts were also obtained from SCI Materials Hub.

3. Journal of Energy Chemistry Vanadium oxide nanospheres encapsulated in N-doped carbon nanofibers with morphology and defect dual-engineering toward advanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries

In this paper, carbon cloth (W0S1011) was obtained from SCI Materials Hub. The flexible carbon cloth matrix guaranteed the stabilization of the electrode and improved the conductivity of the cathode.

4. Energy Storage Materials Defect-abundant commercializable 3D carbon papers for fabricating composite Li anode with high loading and long life

The 3D carbon paper (TGPH060 raw paper) were purchased from SCI Materials Hub.

5. Nanomaterials A Stable Rechargeable Aqueous Zn–Air Battery Enabled by Heterogeneous MoS2 Cathode Catalysts

Nafion D520 (5 wt%), and carbon paper (GDL340) were received from SCI-Materials-Hub.

6. SSRN An Axially Directed Cobalt-Phthalocyanine Covalent Organic Polymer as High-Efficient Bifunctional Catalyst for Zn-Air Battery

Carbon cloth (W0S1011) and other electrochemical consumables required for air cathode were provided by SCI Materials Hub.

Oxygen Reduction Reaction

1. J. Chem. Eng. Superior Efficiency Hydrogen Peroxide Production in Acidic Media through Epoxy Group Adjacent to Co-O/C Active Centers on Carbon Black

In this paper, Vulcan XC 72 carbon black, ion membrane (Nafion N115, 127 μL), Nafion solution (D520, 5 wt%), and carbon paper (AvCarb GDS 2230 and Spectracarb 2050A-1050) were purchased from SCI Materials Hub.

2. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Gaining insight into the impact of electronic property and interface electrostatic field on ORR kinetics in alloy engineering via theoretical prognostication and experimental validation

The 20 wt% Pt3M (M = Cr, Co, Cu, Pd, Sn, and Ir) were purchased from SCI Materials Hub. This work places emphasis on the kinetics of the ORR concerning Pt3M (M = Cr, Co, Cu, Pd, Sn, and Ir) catalysts, and integrates theoretical prognostication and experimental validation to illuminate the fundamental principles of alloy engineering.

Water Electrolysis

1. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Gold as an efficient hydrogen isotope separation catalyst in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis

The cathodic catalysts of Pt/C (20 wt%, 2–3 nm) and Au/C (20 wt%, 4–5 nm) were purchased from SCI Materials Hub.

2. Small Science Silver Compositing Boosts Water Electrolysis Activity and Durability of RuO2 in a Proton-Exchange-Membrane Water Electrolyzer

Two fiber felts (0.35 mm thickness, SCI Materials Hub) were used as the porous transport layers at both the cathode and the anode.

3. Advanced Functional Materials Hierarchical Crystalline/Amorphous Heterostructure MoNi/NiMoOx for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution with Industry-Level Activity and Stability

Anion-exchange membrane (FAA-3-PK-130) was obtained from SCI Materials Hub website.

Fuel Cells

1. Polymer Sub-two-micron ultrathin proton exchange membrane with reinforced mechanical strength

Gas diffusion electrode (60% Pt/C, Carbon paper) was purchased from SCI Materials Hub.

Characterization

1. Chemical Engineering Journal Electrochemical reconstitution of Prussian blue analogue for coupling furfural electro-oxidation with photo-assisted hydrogen evolution reaction

An Au nanoparticle film was deposited on the total reflecting plane of a single reflection ATR crystal (SCI Materials Hub, Wuhu, China) via sputter coater.