Dutch researchers from Radboud University and Eindhoven University of Technology have unveiled a novel method for producing green hydrogen without relying on iridium.
This breakthrough, published in the Nature Energy journal, addresses a significant challenge in the quest for sustainable hydrogen production.
Renewable Hydrogen Typically Relies on Water Electrolysis:
The research, led by Kiane de Kleijne, emphasizes the importance of developing clean hydrogen production processes. This is crucial because the most common method of hydrogen production currently involves using natural gas, a fossil fuel, which results in carbon emissions.
Challenges of Conventional Clean Hydrogen Production:
Conventional clean hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources like solar and wind to power proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. These electrolyzers split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, but the process faces challenges, including the need for iridium.
Iridium: A Rare and Expensive Element:
Iridium is essential for withstanding the highly acidic environment created during water electrolysis. However, it is one of the rarest and most expensive metals globally, making it difficult to obtain in large quantities for widespread hydrogen production.
Utilizing Abundant Elements for Water Electrolysis:
Researchers in Spain, working at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), also recognize the iridium challenge. They have focused on developing an anode catalyst using more readily available and cost-effective materials, namely cobalt and tungsten.
Innovative Approach: Incorporating Water for Protection:
To shield the anode from degradation caused by exposure to the electrolysis process, the researchers introduced water into the cobalt-tungsten oxide catalyst. This innovative approach leverages the very substance being split during electrolysis to protect the catalyst.
The Unexplored Potential of Water:
Ranit Ram, an author of the green hydrogen study, highlighted the significance of this discovery. He noted that previous research had not actively explored the potential role of water and interfacial water in this manner. This breakthrough opens new avenues for developing sustainable and scalable green hydrogen production methods.