Advancement in Hydrogen Energy: Research Team Engineers Catalyst with Increased 7.9-Fold Catalytic Activity

by Amir Hussein
7 comments
Hybrid Nanocatalyst

A cutting-edge platinum-based nanocatalyst has been developed by scientists, significantly enhancing the efficiency of hydrogen production. This state-of-the-art, hybrid catalyst exhibits increased levels of activity and stability, making it particularly useful for hydrogen-fueled vehicles.

Data provided by Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport indicates that as of 2022, approximately 30,000 hydrogen-fueled automobiles were registered, a 300% rise in comparison to the year 2018. However, the nation currently has a mere 135 hydrogen refueling facilities.

To further advance hydrogen as a viable alternative source of energy, especially for automotive use, it is crucial to reduce the production cost of hydrogen. At the heart of this goal lies the enhancement of the efficiency of the hydrogen evolution process through electrolysis, which generates hydrogen from water.

Significant Progress in Hydrogen Generation

A collaborative research group, including Professor In Su Lee, Research Professor Soumen Dutta, and Byeong Su Gu from the Department of Chemistry at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), recently accomplished a noteworthy improvement in hydrogen production efficiency. This was made possible through the creation of an innovative platinum nanocatalyst.

The team’s work was documented in Angewandte Chemie, a prestigious academic journal centered on the domain of chemistry.

Technical Challenges and Innovations in Catalyst Fabrication

The accurate deposition of different materials at specific sites on a nanoscale catalyst surface is fraught with complications. Unplanned deposits can obstruct the active sites of the catalyst or interfere with their intended functions. This issue has hampered the simultaneous placement of nickel and palladium on a single substrate. Nickel activates water splitting, while palladium aids in the conversion of hydrogen ions to hydrogen molecules.

To address these challenges, the researchers created an innovative nanoreactor to precisely control the deposition locations of metals on a 2D nanocrystal. Furthermore, they developed a nanoscale deposition process, allowing the coverage of distinct facets of the 2D platinum nanocrystal with varying materials. This led to the invention of a “platinum-nickel-palladium” three-metal hybrid catalyst formed through sequential depositions covering the flat surface and edges of the 2D platinum nanocrystal with thin films of palladium and nickel.

Elevated Efficiency of the Hybrid Catalyst

The engineered catalyst featured separate nickel/platinum and palladium/platinum interfaces strategically designed to enhance water splitting and hydrogen molecule formation respectively. As a result, the synergistic operation of these distinct processes markedly improved the hydrogen evolution through electrolysis.

Subsequent research findings revealed that this new three-metal hybrid nanocatalyst displayed a catalytic activity that was 7.9 times greater than the standard platinum-carbon catalyst. Additionally, the catalyst exhibited remarkable stability, sustaining its high level of catalytic activity even after 50 hours of continuous reaction, effectively resolving issues of functional interference or collisions between different heterointerfaces.

Final Observations from the Investigating Team

Professor In Su Lee, who spearheaded the research, conveyed his hopeful outlook, stating, “We have effectively overcome process challenges to create harmonious heterointerfaces on a hybrid material.” He elaborated, “I anticipate that these research outcomes will greatly contribute to the design and development of catalyst materials specifically optimized for hydrogen-related reactions.”

The study was financially backed by the Leading Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea. The findings were published on 19 June 2023, in the international edition of Angewandte Chemie, with the DOI: 10.1002/anie.202307816.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hybrid Nanocatalyst

What is the primary focus of the research conducted by Pohang University?

The primary focus is on the development of a platinum-based hybrid nanocatalyst that significantly enhances the efficiency of hydrogen production. This research aims to improve the catalytic activity and stability of the catalyst, making hydrogen a more viable energy source, particularly for automotive applications.

Who were the key researchers involved in this study?

The key researchers involved were Professor In Su Lee, Research Professor Soumen Dutta, and Byeong Su Gu. They are affiliated with the Department of Chemistry at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH).

Where were the research findings published?

The findings were published in Angewandte Chemie, an esteemed academic journal that focuses on the field of chemistry.

What challenges did the researchers face in catalyst development?

Depositing distinct materials selectively on specific locations of a catalyst surface posed substantial challenges. The team needed to overcome issues such as unintended depositions that could block active sites or cause functional interference between the different materials involved.

What innovative techniques were used in this research?

The researchers employed a novel nanoreactor and a fine deposition process to control the location of metals deposited onto a 2D flat nanocrystal. They successfully deposited nickel and palladium onto the platinum nanocrystal in a sequential manner, leading to the creation of a three-metal hybrid catalyst.

How significant was the improvement in catalytic activity?

The three-metal hybrid nanocatalyst exhibited a 7.9-fold increase in catalytic activity compared to the conventional platinum-carbon catalyst. This represents a substantial enhancement in hydrogen production efficiency.

What are the potential applications of this research?

The primary application is in hydrogen-powered vehicles, as the advanced catalyst can make hydrogen production more efficient and cost-effective. It also has broader implications for energy sustainability.

What support did the research receive?

The study was financially backed by the Leading Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea.

What is the future outlook according to Professor In Su Lee?

Professor In Su Lee is optimistic that the research outcomes will contribute significantly to the development of catalytic materials optimized specifically for hydrogen-related reactions.

Is the hybrid nanocatalyst stable for prolonged use?

Yes, the novel catalyst demonstrated remarkable stability, maintaining its high level of catalytic activity even after 50 hours of continuous reaction, effectively resolving issues of functional interferences or collisions between different heterointerfaces.

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7 comments

Mike O'Brien October 15, 2023 - 7:32 pm

Reading this kinda stuff makes me hopeful for the future of clean energy. just wish the research could turn into real-world solutions faster.

Reply
Linda Johnson October 15, 2023 - 7:58 pm

Impressive research for sure. But what about the cost? If it’s not economical, it ain’t gonna work, no matter how efficient it is.

Reply
Sarah Williams October 15, 2023 - 8:10 pm

As someone into sustainable energy, I’m really excited by this. But still, only 135 hydrogen stations in Korea? They’ve got a long way to go.

Reply
Timothy Green October 16, 2023 - 2:30 am

Professor In Su Lee sounds optimistic. hopefully his work will pave the way for more advances. We need this now more than ever.

Reply
Emily Davis October 16, 2023 - 7:35 am

So they made a new catalyst? thats pretty cool, but how soon can we see this in the market? Seems like it could take years.

Reply
John Smith October 16, 2023 - 2:13 pm

Wow, this is groundbreaking stuff. can’t believe they achieved a 7.9x increase in activity. this could be a game changer for hydrogen cars.

Reply
Robert Clark October 16, 2023 - 3:59 pm

im fascinated by the challenges they faced in catalyst development. Shows that it ain’t as easy as we think. Kudos to the team at Pohang U!

Reply

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