Tosoh Develops H2‑based Polymer Electrolyte for Water Electrolysis

New Solution Tosoh Develops H2‑based Polymer Electrolyte for Water Electrolysis

2026-01-20 Source: Press release Tosoh 1 min Reading Time

Tosoh Corporation has recently announced that it has developed a hydrocarbon‑based polymer electrolyte for polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis systems. The new electrolyte offers superior proton conductivity, higher gas barrier properties and lower hydrated state swelling as compared to conventional fluorinated polymer electrolyte materials.

Tosoh’s newly developed hydrocarbon-based polymer electrolyte. (Source: Tosoh Corporation) — Tosoh’s newly developed hydrocarbon-based polymer electrolyte.
(Source: Tosoh Corporation)

Tokyo/Japan – Tosoh Corporation has developed a hydrocarbon‑based polymer electrolyte for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolysis systems.¹ Growing interest in hydrogen energy for carbon neutrality is increasing attention on PEM water electrolysis, a leading hydrogen production technology. Conventional PEM water electrolysis, –however, uses fluorinated polymer electrolyte membranes, raising issues such as fluorine’s environmental impact and low gas barrier properties that limit hydrogen production efficiency and durability.

Tosoh’s newly developed hydrocarbon‑based polymer electrolyte offers superior proton conductivity², higher gas barrier properties and lower hydrated state swelling³ compared with conventional fluorinated polymer electrolyte materials. Tosoh anticipates that the use of its material to fabricate electrolyte membranes will improve the efficiency and durability of water electrolysis systems. The material’s proprietary molecular structure, moreover, can be flexibly modified to meet customized requirements.

Tosoh has begun providing samples of its new hydrocarbon-based polymer electrolyte to select users and is moving forward with evaluations for as early a market launch as possible. The company, meanwhile, continues its research and development on this product to further advance PEM water electrolysis and better contribute to the realization of a carbon‑neutral society.

1 PEM water electrolysis produces hydrogen by electrochemically splitting water using a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM).

2 Proton conductivity occurs when a substance conducts protons (H+, hydrogen ions) within an electric field.

3 Swelling in the hydrated state results when a material absorbs water; the lower the swelling the better.

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