Porous Transport Layers (PTL)

Knitted wire mesh is an ideal material for Porous Transport Layers (PTL) due to its customisability, compressibility, and high surface area. Few metals offer the ability to compress and increase surface area while decreasing pore size, making knitted mesh uniquely suited for PTL applications in hydrogen production and PEM electrolysis.

Our design team works closely with clients to ensure each PTL meets specific operational requirements, whether for water retention, gas removal, or low contact resistance.

Components can be tailored by:

• Shape
• Size
• Material
• Wire diameter
• Surface area
• Pore size
• Density

In-house tooling and production enables rapid prototyping and quick alterations, allowing PTLs to be refined efficiently as design needs evolve.

Water Distribution to Catalyst Layer

• PTLs prevent membrane degradation by distributing water evenly, avoiding dry spots.
• Supports thermal management by preventing hot spots.
• Optimised porosity, pore size, and wettability are critical for effective water transport.

Gas Removal

• Rapid removal of oxygen and hydrogen is essential to prevent flooding and pressure build-up.
• Macro pores and convoluted pathways help evacuate gas bubbles efficiently.

Electron Conduction

• High electrical conductivity minimises resistive losses (IR drops) at high current densities.
• Material selection and surface area optimisation provide more contact points with lower resistance.

Mechanical Support

• PTLs must be firm yet gentle, preventing tearing, puncturing, or crushing of the membrane.
• Balancing compressibility and rigidity is essential for reliable performance.

• Material Options: Stainless steel, exotic alloys, or custom conductive materials
• Wire Diameter: Customisable to optimise surface area and pore size
• Porosity: Adjustable for water retention, gas removal, and thermal management
• Surface Area: High surface area for improved conductivity and performance
• Density and Compressibility: Tailored to support membrane integrity and prevent damage
• Applications: PEM electrolysis, hydrogen production, fuel cells, electrochemical systems

• Consultation: Discuss requirements for size, shape, material, porosity, density, and compressibility.
• Design & Prototyping: In-house tooling allows rapid sample production.
• Testing & Refinement: Samples can be tested immediately, with quick adjustments made if necessary.
• Final Production: Optimised PTL delivered to specification for reliable, high-performance operation.

• Fully customisable to your electrochemical system
• Rapid prototyping and sample turnaround
• High-performance knitted mesh optimised for water, gas, conductivity, and mechanical support
• Expertise in PEM electrolysis and hydrogen production applications