Researchers have ascertained that the permeability of graphene to protons is inherently high, contradicting earlier assumptions. Through cutting-edge methods, they found that protons move more quickly around the nanoscale folds and undulations of graphene. This insight might be the catalyst for transforming the hydrogen economy, by supplanting the current expensive catalysts and membranes with sustainable 2D crystals, thus furthering the production of green hydrogen. Credit is attributed to the University of Manchester.
The intrinsic proton permeability of graphene has been uncovered by researchers, presenting an opportunity to enhance both the hydrogen economy and the generation of green hydrogen.
Scientists from the University of Manchester and the University of Warwick have demystified a long-standing question of why graphene’s proton permeability markedly exceeds what was theoretically anticipated.
A discovery was made a decade ago by scientists at the University of Manchester, revealing that graphene was proton-permeable. This unforeseen finding sparked a debate within the scientific community since established theories had posited that protons would take billions of years to traverse through the dense crystalline structure of graphene. As a result, some theorized that protons might be moving through tiny openings in the graphene, rather than through the crystal itself.
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Discoveries and Their Significance
As revealed today (August 23) in the scientific journal Nature, ultra-high precision measurements have demonstrated that pure graphene crystals allow proton movement. Surprisingly, these protons are greatly hastened around the nanoscale imperfections in the crystal. Collaboratively conducted by the University of Warwick, under Prof. Patrick Unwin, and the University of Manchester, under Dr. Marcelo Lozada-Hidalgo and Prof. Andre Geim, the study highlights potential advancements in the hydrogen economy.
The current expensive catalysts and membranes with substantial environmental impacts could be supplanted with more eco-friendly 2D crystals. This would lessen carbon emissions and support Net Zero goals through green hydrogen production.
Dr. Marcelo Lozada-Hidalgo noted: “Utilizing the catalytic properties of these irregularities in 2D crystals opens a completely new avenue for enhancing ion movement and chemical reactions. It could result in the creation of cost-effective catalysts for technologies related to hydrogen.”
Research Methods and Observations
The researchers employed scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) to gauge minor proton currents from nanometer-scale regions. This enabled them to discern the spatial distribution of proton currents through graphene membranes. Had protons been passing through openings as speculated, the currents would be localized in certain spots. However, no such specific locations were identified, negating the hypothesis of holes in the graphene membranes.
Leading authors Drs. Segun Wahab and Enrico Daviddi remarked, “The total absence of defects in the graphene crystals was unexpected. Our findings furnish microscopic evidence that graphene naturally allows protons to pass through.”
Unanticipatedly, the scientists discovered that proton currents are sped up around nanoscale creases in the crystals. They found that these creases effectively enlarge the graphene lattice, thus creating more room for protons to pass through. This observation now aligns both experimental data and theoretical understanding.
Dr. Lozada-Hidalgo stated: “To envision that we are stretching a mesh at the atomic level and observing increased current through the expanded spaces within this mesh is utterly astonishing.”
Prof. Unwin added: “These findings spotlight SECCM, crafted in our lab, as a robust tool for attaining microscopic perspectives into electrochemical interfaces, offering thrilling opportunities for the crafting of next-generation membranes and separators involving protons.”
Future Prospects
The authors are enthusiastic about the potential of this breakthrough to foster novel hydrogen-centric technologies.
Dr. Lozada-Hidalgo expressed, “Leveraging the catalytic effects of the imperfections in 2D crystals offers an entirely new approach to speeding up ion movement and chemical reactions. It holds promise for the creation of affordable catalysts for technologies linked to hydrogen.”
Reference: “Proton transport through nanoscale corrugations in two-dimensional crystals” by O. J. Wahab, E. Daviddi, B. Xin, P. Z. Sun, E. Griffin, A. W. Colburn, D. Barry, M. Yagmurcukardes, F. M. Peeters, A. K. Geim, M. Lozada-Hidalgo and P. R. Unwin, 23 August 2023, Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06247-6
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about graphene
What is the main discovery regarding graphene’s permeability to protons?
Researchers have found that graphene’s permeability to protons is inherently high. Using advanced methods, they observed accelerated proton movement around graphene’s nanoscale wrinkles and ripples. This contradicts earlier theories and opens new avenues for hydrogen economy and green hydrogen production.
Who were the leading researchers in this study?
The study was a collaboration between the University of Warwick, led by Prof. Patrick Unwin, and The University of Manchester, led by Dr. Marcelo Lozada-Hidalgo and Prof. Andre Geim.
What techniques were used in the research?
The team used a technique known as scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) to measure minute proton currents collected from nanometer-sized areas, allowing them to visualize the spatial distribution of proton currents through graphene membranes.
How could this discovery impact the hydrogen economy?
The discovery has the potential to replace expensive catalysts and membranes currently used to generate and utilize hydrogen with more sustainable 2D crystals. This could reduce carbon emissions and contribute to Net Zero through the generation of green hydrogen.
What was the surprising aspect of the research’s findings?
The unexpected findings were the absence of defects in the graphene crystals, and that proton currents were accelerated around nanometer-sized wrinkles in the crystals. The scientists discovered that these wrinkles effectively ‘stretch’ the graphene lattice, providing a larger space for protons to permeate through the crystal.
Where were the findings published?
The findings were reported in the scientific journal Nature on August 23, 2023, with the title “Proton transport through nanoscale corrugations in two-dimensional crystals.”
What potential applications does this discovery have for future technologies?
The discovery offers a fundamentally new way to accelerate ion transport and chemical reactions, which could lead to the development of low-cost catalysts for hydrogen-related technologies, thus enabling new hydrogen-based technologies and reducing carbon emissions.
