EVALUATION OF THE ZIRFON(R) SEPARATOR FOR USE IN ALKALINE WATER ELECTROLYSIS AND NI-H-2 BATTERIES

Zirfon (R) is a porous composite separator material composed of a poly sulfone matrix and ZrO2 which is present as a powder. The manufacturin g is based on the film-casting technique. The separator is very stable in concentrated KOH solutions at elevated temperatures. Even with a h igh loading of ZrO2 it is possible to produce very flexible separators with attractive mechanical properties. The main challenge for this Zi rfon (R) material is to replace the asbestos diaphragms which are pres ently used in industrial alkaline water electrolysis. Different compan ies are already testing this separator. Excellent results have been ob tained. Another field of interest is related to the use of such a sepa rator in Ni-H-2 batteries both for earth and space applications. (C) 1 998 International Association for Hydrogen Energy.