Clay-based hydrogen tech could power cars in extreme heat and cold

Researchers at Kumamoto University in Japan have developed a novel solid electrolyte membrane for hydrogen fuel cells using abundant natural montmorillonite clay minerals. This flexible membrane, fabricated from monolayer silicate nanosheets, exhibits dual functionality: it offers high proton conductivity across a wide temperature range (from -10°C to 140°C) and acts as a superior hydrogen gas barrier, blocking hydrogen over 100 times more effectively than the current industry standard, Nafion. These properties enable safer, more efficient, and longer-lasting fuel cells that operate well in extreme heat and cold, overcoming the limitations of traditional fuel cells that require high operating temperatures above 500°C. The new clay-based electrolyte achieves proton conductivities comparable to or exceeding polymer-based electrolytes, with values such as 2.3×10⁻³ S/cm at 10°C and 8.7×10⁻³ S/cm at 140°C under full humidity. In practical testing, fuel cells using this membrane demonstrated strong performance