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Notark Corp

AEMTuff™ – Anion Exchange Membrane

Anion Exchange Membranes (AEMs) are specialized polymer membranes that selectively conduct negatively charged ions (anions) while blocking positively charged ions (cations) and other species. They are essential component in a range of advanced electrochemical systems, including fuel cells, water electrolyzers, and carbon capture technologies. By enabling efficient ion transport, AEMs offer a promising route to more affordable, durable, and sustainable energy solutions. As the world accelerates toward decarbonization and circular economy models, AEMs are poised to play a transformative role in clean energy production, storage, and utilization.

The AEMTuff Advantage – Distinctive Microstructure

Microstructure of Pentablock Copolymer by TEM

Reconstructed 3-dimensional Transmission Electron Microscopy image of pentablock ion conducting polymer. Image shows channels that run across depth (Z-axis), providing superior ionic conductivity.

Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS) Comparing Triblock and Pentablock AEMs

*Data from Argonne National Lab

Small angle X-ray scattering data for AEMTuff pentablock membrane compared with a triblock AEM produced using a similar synthetic approach. The location of the primary peak (q*)in each SAXS profile relates to the characteristic spacing (D=2π/q*) of the morphology. Microdomain periodicities are measured and suggest pentablock architecture yields a favorable morphology for high ionic conductivity.

Unique microstructure of AEMTuff polymer film enables high ionic conductivity

AEMTuff™ Key Attributes

Low Cost

  • AEMTuff grades offer significant cost reduction vs current AEMs in the market
  • Cost reduction is achieved by using commercially available monomers and well-established commercial scale manufacturing process

Performance

  • Outstanding durability: near 100% retention of conductivity after 10,000 hrs aging in 1M KOH solution at 80oC
  • Low swell in water: AEMTuff swells < 20%
  • Low hydrogen crossover: ½ to ¼ vs competitive membranes

Fluorine Free

  • AEMTuff membranes do not use or contain fluorine based raw materials eliminating potential concerns associated with perfluoro chemicals as “forever chemicals”

Design Flexibility

  • AEMTuff grades can be available in a range of IEC and degree of crosslinking
  • AEMTuff grades can be optimized for specific application needs

availability

  • AEMTuff grades are available at commercial scale with capacity to produce millions of square meters per year, in rolls of up to 1m wide

AEMTuff offers commercial scale, high performance, fluorine-free ion conducting polymers (membranes and ionomers) that are up to 90% lower in cost vs alternative AEMs

Notark Resins

AEMTuff is the Best-In-Class AEM for Hydrogen Electrolyzers

AEMTuff unlocks techno-economic and scale viability for AEM electrolyzers.

Attributes that differentiate AEMTuff

Ultra-low swell in hot water facilitates stack assembly

High conversion efficiency: ↑ H₂ / E⁻

Very low H₂ crossover

Stable in diverse alkaline electrolytes

Fluorine-free

Available at scale in R2R

Cost effective, up to 90% lower cost /m2

Outstanding Alkaline Stability

Excellent Chemical Stability in Various Environments

Independent Testing Demonstrates Key Attributes of AEMTuff

Data graciously provided by the Korean Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) in 2025, reporting superior behavior of AEMTuff 6660 tested against a reference AEM (“Control AEM”) in terms of (a) mechanical stability, (b) chemical stability and (c) electrolyzer system stability.

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