NCP Supports™
Nanoporous Carbon Catalyst Support
Extend lifetime and performance of PEM fuel cells.
Key Features
- High porosity with accessible surface area
- Low tortuosity, enabling facilitated mass transport
- Catalyst utilization up to 100%
- Outstanding durability
- High conductivity (2-10 S/cm)
- Tunable wettability (hydrophilic or hydrophobic)
- Tunable pore sizes: available in 10, 20, 50 and 100 nm, as well as mixed pore-size distributions.
- Available at the hundreds-of-kg scale.
Applications
PEM fuel cell
Water or CO2 electrolyzer
Drug delivery
Nanoporous Carbon Powder Structure and Composition
Graphitiziation Capabilities
Our heat-treated nanoporous carbon powder (NCP-HT) achieves nearly 100% carbon content. NCP-HT can be highly graphitized based on customers’ requirements.
Wettability: Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Options
The oxygen content in NCP Supports comes from hydroxyl, carboxyl and other oxygen-containing polar functional groups, leading to hydrophilic NCP pores. After heat treatment, NCP-HT displays hydrophobicity due to removing those oxygen-containing functional groups.Â
Customizable Carbon Porosity
NCP Supports™ are nanoporous carbon powders produced using a hard-templating approach with colloidal silica as the template. By employing silica nanospheres of different diameters, NCP materials with well-defined pore sizes can be synthesized. Mesopores in the 2–50 nm range are available (specification table below), and the hard-templating method enables precise control over pore size distribution.
Macropores (pore sizes >50 nm) can also be produced, as well as mixed pore-size structures. For example, NCP-D7X is intentionally designed with 7 nm and 100 nm pores, combining efficient mass transport from macropores with mesopores for uniform catalyst dispersion.
NCP Supports™ product specifications
| Product Name | Pore size (nm) | BET surface area (m2/g) | MSDS |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCP-D7X | 7 & 100 | ≥500 | Download MSDS |
| NCP-D10Pro | 10±2 | ≥500 | Download MSDS |
| NCP-10 | 10±2 | ≥300 | Download MSDS |
| NCP-10-HT | 10±2 | ≥300 | Download MSDS |
| NCP-20 | 20±2 | ≥340 | Download MSDS |
| NCP-20-HT | 20±2 | ≥340 | Download MSDS |
| NCP-50 | 50±5 | 240 | Download MSDS |
| NCP-50-HT | 50±5 | 250 | Download MSDS |
| NCP-100 | 100±10 | 150±50 | Download MSDS |
| NCP-100-HT | 100±10 | 150±50 | Download MSDS |
Difference Between NCP and NCP-HT
NCP is the as-produced nanoporous carbon powder containing 2–4% oxygen (e.g., hydroxyl and carboxyl groups), which makes it more hydrophilic.Â
NCP-HT is high-temperature treated; as a result, its carbon content increases to >99%, it exhibits a higher degree of graphitization (sharp graphite (002) peak), leading to higher conductivity and improved carbon corrosion resistance, and it becomes relatively hydrophobic.
The price is different as well, and we explain why in our article Mesoporous Carbon Cost Explained
Difference Between NCP and MCP
They are produced from different carbon precursors. NCP products are made from naphthalene-based mesophase pitch, while the MCP product is produced from lower-cost pitch materials. As a result, NCP products are purer. By comparison, the MCP product contains sulfur (typically <0.1%) and trace-level magnetic impurities.
Capacity of NCP Supports™
Our annual capacity for NCP Supports™ is 300 kg. Further scale-up to 2 metric tons is scheduled to be completed by early 2026.
Case Studies
Our advanced nanoporous carbon catalyst support improves fuel cell durability by 200%.
Momentum Materials’ proprietary nanoporous carbon powder (NCP Supports™) is a high-performance carbon catalyst support that is proven to increase the performance of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) by 10% and extend the lifetime by 2x for hydrogen fuel cell stacks.
NCP Supports is used by PEMFC catalyst manufacturers and MEA manufacturers.
Product Images
High-Performance Nanoporous Carbon Catalyst Support
Unlock superior performance and durability with Momentum Materials’ advanced nanoporous carbon powder. Engineered for demanding applications, our catalyst support provides the ideal foundation for your electrochemical and catalytic processes.
The Foundation for Catalytic Excellence
In the world of catalysis, the support material is as critical as the catalyst itself. A superior support structure not only enhances catalytic activity but also ensures long-term stability and efficiency. At Momentum Materials, we have developed a state-of-the-art nanoporous carbon powder designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern industry.
Our unique synthesis process creates a nano-engineered carbon material with a highly accessible surface area and a precisely controlled, 3D-interconnected porous structure. This makes it the perfect carbon-supported catalyst foundation, ensuring optimal dispersion of active catalyst nanoparticles and facilitating efficient mass transport of reactants and products. For researchers and manufacturers seeking to push the boundaries of performance, our nanoporous carbon is the definitive solution.
Why Choose Momentum Materials?
Unmatched Porous Structure
Our advanced manufacturing techniques produce a carbon support with a maximized accessible surface area and a well-defined nanoporous network with low tortuosity. This structure maximizes the available active sites for catalytic reactions, leading to significantly enhanced efficiency and higher mass transport compared to conventional carbon materials.
Superior Electrical Conductivity
Engineered for excellence, our nanocarbon-supported chemical applications, such as fuel cells and electrolyzers, where efficient electron transfer is paramount for minimizing energy loss and maximizing overall performance.
Exceptional Purity and Stability
We pride ourselves on the purity of our materials. Our carbon supports are manufactured with minimal impurities, preventing catalyst poisoning and ensuring consistent, reliable performance. The robust carbon framework also provides exceptional thermal and chemical stability, extending the operational lifetime of your catalyst even in harsh conditions.
Customizable to Your Specifications
We understand that no two applications are the same. Momentum Materials offers tailored solutions to meet your specific requirements. We can modify properties such as particle size, pore size distribution, and surface chemistry to create a carbon-supported catalyst that is perfectly optimized for your unique process.
Applications for Nanoporous Carbon
Our versatile nanoporous carbon catalyst supports are ideal for a wide range of cutting-edge applications, including:
- Fuel Cells (PEMFCs & AEMFCs): Enhance the performance and durability of catalysts.
- Electrolyzers: Provide a stable and conductive support for catalysts used in hydrogen production.
- Metal-Air Batteries: Improves the efficiency and cycle life of electrodes.
- Chemical Synthesis: Acts as a robust support for various heterogeneous catalysts in industrial chemical processes.
- Sensors: Offers a high-surface-area platform for developing highly sensitive electrochemical sensors.
Advance Your Technology with a Superior Catalyst Support
Ready to elevate the performance of your catalytic systems? Partner with Momentum Materials in Calgary, AB, and leverage the power of our advanced nanoporous carbon. Contact our technical team today to discuss your project needs or to request a sample.
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Request a quote or more information
Contact the Momentum Materials technical team to discuss your requirements or application. Our experts can recommend and customize the best catalyst support product to fit your needs.