With this strategic relationship, both Plug Power and 3M will set the new benchmark for performance and reliability for hydrogen fuel cell products in the most demanding electric mobility application—material handling. The joint knowledge and development capability of both companies will facilitate additional cost and performance improvements for the future of the electric vehicle market.

—Andy Marsh, Plug Power CEO

3M offers a broad portfolio of solutions for fuel cell construction—for low- and high-temperature applications—including fluoropolymers, membrane materials and advanced ceramics. 3M has applied its expertise in electrochemistry, fluoropolymer membrane, and high throughput manufacturing for advanced fuel cell MEAs.

3M Dyneon Fluoropolymers feature excellent chemical and temperature resistance, weatherability, permeation control and low surface energy— making them highe suited for PEM applications. For example, gaskets made from 3M Dyneon Ultra Low Viscosity Fluoroelastomers cure at low temperatures for seal-in-place solutions. Barrier films can be made from thermoplastics such as 3M Dyneon THV, which imparts oxidative stability; 3M thermoplastics also function as binders for bipolar plate applications.

3M’s fully integrated membrane electrode assembly is based on its catalyst coated membrane (CCM). The CCMs feature integrated, thrifted subgasketed construction, and combine low precious metal loadings with strong performance and durability.

3M researchers have been working for several years on a DOE-funded project to develop a durable, low-cost, robust, high-performance membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for transportation applications that is able to meet or exceed US Department of Energy 2020 MEA targets.

Partners in the three-year, $4.6-million project include Johns Hopkins University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Michigan Technological University, Freudenberg FCCT, Argonne National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory and GM.

The approach 3M took with this advanced MEA research project was to optimize the integration of advanced anode and cathode catalysts, based on 3M’s nanostructured thin film (NSTF) catalyst technology platform, with next generation PFSA PEMs (polymer electrolyte membranes based on perfluorosulfonic acid); gas diffusion media; cathode interfacial layers; and flow fields to improve overall MEA performance, durability, robustness, and cost.

(Although the performance to date of the work is promising, with targets for PGM content (0.118 mg/cm²) and Q/ΔT (1.45 kW/°C) achieved, performances are still 10%–15% below the 2020 DOE targets.)

Plug Power’s GenKey, provides an all-inclusive package for customers, incorporating GenFuel hydrogen and fueling infrastructure, GenCare aftermarket service and either GenDrive or ReliOn fuel cell systems.

GenDrive, a lead-acid battery replacement, is used in electric lift trucks in high-throughput material handling applications. With more than 9,000 GenDrive units deployed with material handling customers, GenDrive has been proven reliable with over 107 million hours of runtime.