Scientists develop game-changing catalyst for clean hydrogen from water

Hydrogen offers a clean and plentiful supply of energy

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Scientists have made a breakthrough in the production of environmentally sustainable hydrogen from water with the development of a new catalyst. This catalyst, composed of elements abundant on Earth, has the potential to enable low-cost and energy-efficient hydrogen production for various applications, including transportation and industrial sectors.

Hydrogen, when extracted from water using renewable energy sources, offers a clean and plentiful supply of energy. Its utilisation as a fuel can significantly reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Additionally, hydrogen plays a vital role in various industrial processes, such as steelmaking and ammonia production, making the production of cleaner hydrogen highly desirable in these sectors.

Led by the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, a team of researchers from multiple institutions has successfully developed a low-cost catalyst for generating clean hydrogen from water. This breakthrough is particularly significant for proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, a cutting-edge technology that can efficiently split water into hydrogen and oxygen at near-room temperature, thereby reducing energy demands. PEM electrolyzers are well-suited for producing clean hydrogen using intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

Typically, PEM electrolyzers employ separate catalysts for the cathode and anode electrodes. While the cathode catalyst efficiently yields hydrogen, the anode catalyst, which is currently made of iridium, presents a major challenge due to its high cost (around $5,000 per ounce) and limited availability. The team aimed to address this bottleneck by developing a low-cost anode catalyst that could replace the expensive iridium. In their research, they discovered that cobalt, a significantly cheaper element, could be used as the main ingredient in the new catalyst.

The team's lead researcher, Dr. Liu, explained the significance of their work, stating, "We sought to develop a low-cost anode catalyst in a PEM electrolyzer that generates hydrogen at high throughput while consuming minimal energy. By using the cobalt-based catalyst prepared by our method, one could remove the main bottleneck of cost to producing clean hydrogen in an electrolyzer."

To evaluate the performance of the new catalyst, the team collaborated with Giner Inc., a renowned research and development company specializing in electrolyzers and fuel cells. Giner Inc. tested the catalyst using its PEM electrolyzer test stations under real-world industrial operating conditions. The results were highly promising, with the catalyst surpassing the performance and durability of competitors' catalysts.

To further enhance the catalyst's performance, the team employed advanced scientific techniques. At the Argonne National Laboratory's Advanced Photon Source (APS) and the Sandia National Laboratories, they used X-ray analyses and electron microscopy to study the catalyst's structural changes and identify key features under operating conditions. Additionally, computational modeling conducted at Berkeley Lab provided valuable insights into the catalyst's durability during the reaction process.

This breakthrough in catalyst development aligns with the goals of the US Department of Energy's Hydrogen Energy Earthshot initiative. This initiative, inspired by the "Moon Shot" program of the 1960s, aims to significantly reduce the cost of green hydrogen production to one dollar per kilogram within the next decade. Achieving this target could revolutionize the nation's economy, with applications ranging from the electric grid and manufacturing to transportation and residential and commercial heating.

The research, which received support from the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, as well as Argonne Laboratory Directed Research and Development funding, was published in the prestigious journal Science on May 12.

With this groundbreaking catalyst, the prospects of affordable and sustainable hydrogen production from water have been significantly enhanced. By utilizing elements abundant on Earth, such as cobalt, the researchers have paved the way for widespread adoption of PEM electrolyzers and the large-scale production of clean hydrogen. This advancement brings us one step closer to a future where hydrogen fuels our transportation systems, powers industries, and helps create a greener and more sustainable world.