A team of researchers led by Dr. Yoo Sung Jong of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has succeeded in significantly reducing the cost of green hydrogen production by developing a new carbon-supported catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction in anion exchange membrane water electrolysis.
Green hydrogen is produced through water electrolysis using electricity, without emitting carbon dioxide. However, a challenge lies in the inevitable use of expensive precious metal catalysts, such as iridium oxide.
The KIST team’s new catalyst is based on a nickel-iron-cobalt layered double hydroxide material, which is a significantly cheaper alternative to iridium. The catalyst is supported on a hydrophobic carbon support, which makes it more resistant to corrosion and improves its durability.
In performance evaluations, the new catalyst achieved a current density of 10.29 A/cm-2 in the 2 V region, exceeding the 9.38 A/cm-2 current density of commercial iridium oxide. It also demonstrated long-term durability of about 550 hours.
The KIST team’s research is a significant step forward in making green hydrogen more affordable and accessible. The new carbon-supported catalyst could help to accelerate the commercialization of green hydrogen and its adoption in a wider range of applications.
The KIST team’s research has the potential to have a significant impact on the green hydrogen industry. The new carbon-supported catalyst could help to reduce the cost of green hydrogen production by 50% or more, making it more competitive with fossil fuels.
The catalyst’s improved durability could also help to reduce the maintenance costs of water electrolysis systems. This would make green hydrogen production even more cost-effective and attractive to investors and customers.
Overall, the KIST team’s research is a major breakthrough in green hydrogen technology. The new carbon-supported catalyst could help to accelerate the global transition to a clean energy future.
The KIST team’s research is a significant step forward in making green hydrogen more affordable and accessible. The new carbon-supported catalyst could help to accelerate the commercialization of green hydrogen and its adoption in a wider range of applications.
The potential challenges of scaling up production and the cost of carbon supports are manageable. With continued investment and research, the KIST team’s new catalyst could play a major role in the global transition to a clean energy future.
