Nanocellulose Membranes for Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers: A European Perspective

Researchers based in different European countries are actively developing nanocellulose membranes as sustainable alternatives to conventional membranes used in both hydrogen fuel cells and anion- and proton-exchange membrane electrolyzers. Focusing on recent innovations, this study offers a European perspective on research on nanocellulose-based ion-exchange membranes for new-generation hydrogen fuel cells and water electrolyzers. The study highlights also how research policy promoting a cross-disciplinary and cooperative approach to research enabled the innovation behind the development of these enhanced membranes. Perspective is timely as research efforts conducted in European and in non-European countries in the past decade (2015–2025) are approaching technology commercialization.