Analysis of China’s titanium-based porous transmission layer market situation and development prospects in 2023

The titanium-based porous transmission layer is a material with a porous structure and good gas transmission properties produced through a special preparation process using titanium metal or titanium alloy as the base material. It is widely used in fuel cells, PEM electrolyzers, electrochemical sensors and other fields.

PEM electrolyzer is mainly composed of proton exchange membrane, porous transmission layer (PTL), bipolar plate, cathode carbon, catalyst, seals and other parts. The porous transmission layer has the functions of supporting the electrolytic cell structure, transporting gas and electrolyte, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, etc. effect. The porous transport layer affects the performance of PEM electrolyzers by affecting bubble generation.

In order to ensure the normal and stable operation of the PEM electrolyzer, the porous transmission layer must have good electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, mechanical stability and other properties as well as appropriate porosity. On the cathode side of the PEM electrolytic cell, the porous transmission layer materials are mainly carbon paper and carbon cloth. On the anode side of the PEM electrolytic cell, since carbon paper is easy to corrode, the porous transmission layer materials are mainly titanium mesh, titanium particle sintered plates, and titanium fiber sintered felts. (titanium felt) and other titanium-based materials.

According to the “2023-2027 titanium-based porous transmission layer industry market supply and demand status and industry operating indicators in-depth investigation and analysis report》 shows that titanium fiber sintered felt is currently the mainstream material for the porous transmission layer of the anode of PEM electrolytic cells. It has the advantages of simple production process, high porosity, and good corrosion resistance. The porosity of titanium fiber sintered felt is about 60%, and the processing technology involves forging, drawing, laying, sintering, surface treatment and other links. In terms of supply, titanium fiber sintered felt suppliers include Bekaert, Taiwan Carbon Energy, Jiuyu Technology, Zhejiang Felt, etc.

Under the background of carbon neutrality and carbon peak strategies, many places have released hydrogen energy industry plans, and the hydrogen energy industry has ushered in huge development opportunities. Hydrogen energy production is an important part of the hydrogen energy industry chain. Hydrogen production by electrolysis of water, as one of the most promising green hydrogen production technologies, has received widespread attention from the market. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis for hydrogen production is one of the main technical routes for water electrolysis for hydrogen production. It has the advantages of high hydrogen purity, no pollution, high conversion efficiency, and high current density.

Industry analysts said that PEM electrolysis of water for hydrogen production has entered the commercial application stage. As one of its key materials, titanium-based The application demand for porous transmission layers will continue to grow, and the industry has broad prospects for development. The titanium-based porous transmission layer has abundant raw materials. In the future, with the advancement of related technologies and the upgrading of demand, the titanium-based porous transmission layer industry will continue to develop towards high-end, high-performance, and low production costs.

Titanium ore resource reserves are abundant. In 2022, global titanium ore resource reserves will be about 700 million tons. my country’s titanium ore resources are mainly distributed in Sichuan, Hubei, Shandong and other regions. In recent years, my country’s titanium ore production has been on a growing trend, reaching more than 7.4 million tons in 2022. my country is rich in titanium ore resources, which provides a raw material basis for the development of the titanium-based porous transmission layer industry.