Smoltek Nanotech Holding AB has announced a significant technological advancement. The company’s R&D team has successfully grown carbon nanofibers (CNFs) over an A4-sized area, marking the first time a large sample has been fabricated with CNFs.
This is a crucial step toward industrial scalability of carbon nanofiber coating, which is essential for developing the porous transport electrode used in PEM electrolyzers and fuel cells by Smoltek Hydrogen.
Ellinor Ehrnberg, President of Smoltek Hydrogen, highlighted the importance of this achievement. “We are the first in the world to achieve this. It’s a significant milestone and valuable proof to customers that our technology is scalable. This allows us to produce small A4-sized porous transport electrode test series, aiding customers in developing the next generation of PEM electrolyzers.”
Shafiq Kabir, Head of Volume Processes at Smoltek Hydrogen, reinforced the significance of the breakthrough. “We can now grow carbon nanofibers across a full A4-sized area using the same titanium substrate for our future high-volume production line, where we plan to coat surfaces of at least one square meter at a time.”
In 2023, Smoltek’s founder, Shafiq Kabir, returned to the company to scale up the necessary technologies for the hydrogen sector. During the spring, Smoltek Hydrogen upgraded its proprietary PECVD R&D tool to grow CNFs over a larger area. Improvements included a larger heater, a new top electrode, and a modified growth process, expanding the plasma size from a 6-inch diameter to an A4 size. This tripled the coverage area, achieving stable plasma across the entire A4 surface.
Kabir explained the strategic importance, “By expanding our R&D tool’s capabilities, we gain valuable knowledge that accelerates the transfer of our growth recipes from laboratory technology to industrial applications. Achieving A4-sized carbon nanofiber growth is vital for developing a scalable industrial process.”
