Dr. András Tompos, scientific leader of the hydrogen research area at the National Laboratory for Renewable Energy (NLRE) and head of the Renewable Energy Research Group at the Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, answers.
The research group achieved outstanding results in three main areas:
- Developed a family of Ti1-xMxO2 – C (M: Mo, Sn) mixed oxide–carbon composite supports, significantly enhancing the efficiency and durability of electrocatalysts. Thanks to the innovative material structure, electrodes require less platinum while providing better performance and greater stability. (Catalysis Today journal (2024) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2024.114788, Materials Research Bulletin journal (2025) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2024.113114).
- Improved the properties of Nafion-based (synthetic ion-exchange polymer) membranes with various treatments and nanofillers [Handbook of Functionalized Carbon Nanostructures (2023) https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-3-031-14955-9_76-1; Polymers journal (2022) https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14122492; Polymers journal (2022) https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14163385], and developed fluorine-free PEBAX-based hybrid membranes as Nafion replacements [Membranes journal (2024) https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes14100211, Membranes journal (2025) https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes15090280].
- Built new membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) and cell stacks, as well as a spray coating robot to improve MEA fabrication reliability. Together with industrial and academic partners, the research group designed and constructed a 500 W liquid-cooled cell stack capable of powering a demonstration vehicle (Shell EcoMarathon).
Design and construction of PEM FC stacks
