Climate Insider Brief:
- The POSTECH team at Pohang University of Science and Technology has devised a novel catalyst for water electrolysis, departing from traditional costly platinum-based catalysts.
- Employing oblique angle deposition and nickel, they created a cost-effective and efficient catalyst with finely crafted nanostructures, addressing issues like poor hydrogen bubble separation encountered in conventional catalysts.
- The catalyst’s distinctive surface properties enable rapid hydrogen bubble separation during electrolysis, a critical improvement over conventional catalysts. This innovation significantly enhances hydrogen production efficiency.
The POSTECH team at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) has developed a new catalyst for water electrolysis, aiming to address the limitations of traditional catalysts. Their method involves using an oblique angle deposition technique and nickel (Ni) to create a catalyst that is both cost-effective and efficient.
In traditional water electrolysis, expensive metals like platinum are commonly used as catalysts, leading to high production costs. Additionally, conventional catalysts often struggle with issues like poor separation of hydrogen bubbles, which reduces overall efficiency. To overcome these challenges, the POSTECH team turned to oblique angle deposition and nickel as an alternative.
The oblique angle deposition method allows for the creation of diverse nanostructures at a lower cost by tilting the substrate during deposition. Nickel, being more abundant and less expensive than precious metals, offers a promising alternative with relatively high efficiency in hydrogen generation. Using this technique, the team synthesised nickel nanorods with finely crafted, vertically aligned protrusions.
What makes their catalyst stand out is its unique surface properties, engineered to facilitate the rapid separation of hydrogen bubbles during electrolysis. This overcomes the adherence issues commonly associated with traditional catalysts. Experimental results showed a significant improvement in hydrogen production efficiency compared to traditional thin film structures.
Professor Jong Kyu Kim and Ph.D. Jaerim Kim, leading the research, emphasised the practical implications of their findings for advancing towards a hydrogen economy and a carbon-neutral society. They also highlighted the broader applications of their catalyst in various renewable energy systems reliant on surface reactions, such as carbon dioxide reduction and light energy conversion.
The study was made possible through sponsorship from various programs dedicated to advancing hydrogen energy technology and fostering international cooperation in research and development. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing pressing energy and environmental challenges, paving the way for more sustainable solutions in the future.
To stay informed about the climate industry explore our latest climate news.
SOURCE: EurekAlert
Featured Image: Credit: POSTECH
