Asbestos-Free Alternative: IONZERA Membrane
Legacy asbestos diaphragms are a regulatory and health liability. IONZERA delivers a safe, modern replacement with dramatically better electrochemical performance for alkaline electrolysis.
Why Asbestos Diaphragms Must Be Replaced
For decades, chrysotile asbestos diaphragms were the standard separator in chlor-alkali and early alkaline water electrolysis cells. While asbestos provided adequate chemical stability in concentrated KOH, its well-documented carcinogenic properties have led to bans or severe restrictions across the EU, Japan, Australia, and many other jurisdictions.
Facilities still operating with asbestos diaphragms face mounting regulatory pressure, workplace safety liabilities, and the inability to source replacement materials as global supply chains phase out asbestos products entirely. The transition to a modern, non-hazardous separator is no longer optional - it is a compliance imperative.
IONZERA: A Drop-In, Non-Hazardous Replacement
IONZERA's PSU-TiO₂-GO nanocomposite membrane is completely free of asbestos, heavy metals, and regulated substances. It is manufactured using standard polymer processing techniques with no hazardous byproducts, and it can be handled, cut, and installed without specialized PPE or environmental controls.
Nanocomposite Structure
PSU-TiO₂-GOResistance Improvement
IONZERA Resistance
Pore Size
Performance Leap Over Asbestos Diaphragms
Asbestos diaphragms typically exhibit area resistance values in the range of 0.5–1.0 Ω·cm², depending on age, thickness, and electrolyte conditions. IONZERA achieves 0.09–0.1 Ω·cm² - a 5–10x improvement that translates directly to lower cell voltage, reduced energy consumption, and more cost-effective hydrogen production.
Beyond resistance, IONZERA offers a controlled pore structure (0.38–0.42 μm) that asbestos diaphragms cannot match due to their inherent fiber-based microstructure. The result is more predictable gas crossover behavior and superior hydrogen purity.
Area Resistance
3x LOWERThickness
20% THINNERRetrofit Planning for Existing Plants
G-Hexa provides comprehensive retrofit support for facilities transitioning from asbestos to IONZERA. This includes membrane sizing for legacy cell geometries, performance validation testing, and guidance on safe asbestos removal procedures. Contact our engineering team to discuss your specific retrofit requirements and timeline.
Zero Health Risk
No carcinogenic materials - safe handling without specialized PPE or environmental controls
5–10x Lower Resistance
Dramatic efficiency improvement over degraded asbestos diaphragms in legacy systems
Regulatory Compliance
REACH and RoHS compatible - no restricted substances, no hazardous waste disposal
EXPLORE MORE
Ready to Evaluate IONZERA?
Request a sample to test IONZERA in your application. Our engineering team will support you through qualification and integration.
Plan Your Retrofit