Revolutionising Green Hydrogen in Korea With Breakthrough Catalyst
Green hydrogen, hailed as the future of clean energy, has long been hindered by high production costs and limited efficiency. However, a recent breakthrough from South Korea’s Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) may change the game.
Researchers have developed an innovative catalyst for anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis, a next-generation technology that significantly improves efficiency while slashing costs.
This development brings green hydrogen one step closer to large-scale commercialisation, positioning it as a viable alternative to fossil fuels in the global transition to sustainable energy.
Why AEM Water Electrolysis Matters
Hydrogen production through water electrolysis is a well-established process, but the challenge lies in making it both efficient and cost-effective. AEM water electrolysis stands out among various electrolysis methods due to its potential to use non-precious metal catalysts, which could dramatically reduce costs.
Currently, most AEM electrolysis systems rely on precious metals like platinum (Pt) and iridium (Ir) to catalyse the reaction that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. While effective, these metals are expensive and scarce, creating a significant barrier to widespread adoption. KRISS’s breakthrough tackles this issue head-on by introducing a cost-effective alternative with improved performance.
The Science Behind the Breakthrough
KRISS’s Emerging Material Metrology Group has successfully engineered a base metal catalyst by incorporating a small amount of ruthenium (Ru) into a molybdenum dioxide-nickel molybdenum (MoO2-Ni4Mo) structure. This development overcomes a major limitation of molybdenum dioxide—its tendency to degrade in alkaline environments—by stabilising its structure.
Through extensive structural analysis, the research team identified that hydroxide ion (OH-) adsorption on molybdenum dioxide was the primary cause of degradation. To counter this, they optimised the incorporation of ruthenium, forming nanoparticles measuring less than 3 nanometres. This ultra-thin layer of ruthenium prevents degradation, significantly enhancing both durability and performance.
Performance and Efficiency Gains
The newly developed catalyst outperforms commercial alternatives in multiple ways:
- Four times greater durability compared to existing commercial catalysts, ensuring longer operational lifespans.
- Six times higher activity, significantly improving the hydrogen production rate.
- Seawater compatibility, eliminating the need for costly desalination processes.
- Superior solar-to-hydrogen efficiency, achieving 22.8% when integrated with a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell, demonstrating strong synergy with renewable energy sources.
Unlocking the Potential of Seawater Electrolysis
One of the most promising aspects of this research is the catalyst’s stability in saline water. Currently, green hydrogen production requires purified water, a costly and resource-intensive requirement. If AEM electrolysis could directly utilise seawater without compromising efficiency, it would revolutionise hydrogen production, particularly in regions with limited freshwater availability.
Dr. Sun Hwa Park, a principal researcher at KRISS, emphasised the significance of this breakthrough: “Currently, producing green hydrogen requires purified water, but using actual seawater could substantially lower costs associated with desalination. We plan to continue our research in this area.”
By making seawater electrolysis feasible, this technology has the potential to drive green hydrogen adoption at an unprecedented scale.
Industry Implications and Future Research
The implications of this research extend beyond just hydrogen production. The ability to use a stable, affordable catalyst in AEM electrolysis could accelerate the transition to a hydrogen-based economy. Industries reliant on fossil fuels, such as steel production, transportation, and heavy manufacturing, could finally have a cleaner, more economical alternative.
This research, supported by the KRISS MPI Lab Program, was conducted in collaboration with Seoul National University and the Korea Institute of Materials Science. The findings were published in Applied Catalysis B: Environmental and Energy, a leading journal in chemical engineering.
A Step Towards a Sustainable Future
With cost-effective catalysts and improved efficiency, green hydrogen is rapidly moving from concept to reality. As research continues to refine AEM electrolysis, the dream of large-scale, affordable green hydrogen production edges closer to becoming an industry standard.
The world is in dire need of sustainable energy solutions, and this breakthrough represents a major leap forward.
