Nafion Membrane Chart


Nafion membranes come in many different thickness and types.  How do you know which to choose when designing an electrolyzer.

Choosing the proper thickness depends primarily on the differential pressure you expect across the membrane (i.e. what pressure you will be generating the hydrogen at vs. the oxygen), the type of support the membrane will have, and the operating lifetime (both hours and on/off cycles).

When would you use a thinner membrane?
When the best efficiency is required and there won’t be much differential pressure across the membrane.  We have made membranes using Nafion 212(0.002″ thick), Nafion 211 (0.001″); chemically reinforced) that have all been shown to be exceptionally efficient.

What about thicker membranes?
Thicker membranes and fiber reinforced membranes are more appropriate for very high differential pressure applications (1000+ psi) or very long operating life (100,000+ hrs).

You can download chart Here

Nafion Membrane Comparison Chart
Properties of NafionTM PFSA Membranes

Membrane Type
Nafion NRE-211 Nafion NRE-212 Nafion NE 1035 Nafion 115 Nafion 117 Nafion 1110
Thickness, Micrometer (mil) 25.4 (1) 50.8 (2) 89 (3.5) 125 (5) 183 (7) 254 (10)
Basis Weight, g/m² 50 100 175 250 360 500
Tensile Modulus, MPa (kpsi)** 249 (36) 249 (36) 249 (36)
Tensile Strength, maximum, MPa (kpsi)** MD 23 (3.3) 32 (4.6) 43 (6.2) 43 (6.2) 43 (6.2)
TD 28 (4.1) 32 (4.6) 32 (4.6) 32 (4.6) 32 (4.6)
Elongation at Break, %** MD 252 343 225 225 225
TD 311 352 369 310 310 310
Tear Resistance – Initial, g/mm** MD 6000 6000 6000
TD 6000 6000 6000
Tear Resistance – Propagating, g/mm** MD >100 >100 >100
TD >150 >150 >150
Specific Gravity 1.97 1.97 2 1.98 1.98 1.98
Available Acid Capacity, meq/g 0.92 min 0.92 min 1.0 min 0.90 min 0.90 min 0.90 min
Total Acid Capacity, meq/g 0.95 to 1.01 0.95 to 1.01 1.03 to 1.12 0.95 to 1.01 0.95 to 1.01 0.95 to 1.01
Water Content, % Water 5.0 ± 3.0% 5.0 ± 3.0% 5% 5 5 5
Water Uptake, % Water 50.0 ± 5.0% 50.0 ± 5.0% 43% 38 38 38
Thickness % Increase (from 50% RH, 23 °C to water soaked, 23 °C) 10% 10% 10%
Thickness % Increase (from 50% RH, 23 °C to water soaked, 100 °C) 14% 14% 14%
Linear Expansion, % Increase (from 50% RH, 23 °C to water soaked, 23 °C) 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Linear Expansion, % Increase (from 50% RH, 23 °C to water soaked, 100 °C) 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15%

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