The urgency to shift from fossil fuel-based energy sources is more pressing than ever. In this context, hydrogen emerges as a sustainable energy vector. However, the current mainstream production of hydrogen, primarily through methane steam reforming, generates considerable CO2 emissions, resulting in "grey" or "blue" hydrogen, depending on the handling of the CO2 by-product. This new discovery by IIT and BeDimensional addresses the need for "green" hydrogen production, which is essential to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The key to this new method is the utilization of small ruthenium particles. Ruthenium, a noble metal akin to platinum but considerably cheaper, has been employed as the active phase of the electrolyzer's cathode, leading to a marked improvement in efficiency. "In our study, we have shown how it is possible to maximize the efficiency of a robust, well-developed technology, despite an initial investment that is slightly greater than what would be needed for a standard electrolyzer. This is because we are using a precious metal such as ruthenium," commented Yong Zuo and Michele Ferri from the Nanochemistry Group at IIT in Genoa.
The team's approach not only involves the innovative use of ruthenium nanoparticles but also leverages renewable energy sources like solar power. This dual strategy enhances the conversion of electrical energy into the chemical energy stored in hydrogen molecules.
The application of ruthenium is particularly noteworthy given its economic and resource advantages. While ruthenium is produced in smaller quantities than platinum (30 tonnes per year compared to platinum's 200 tonnes), its lower cost ($18.5 per gram versus $30 for platinum) makes it a viable alternative. In this new technology, only 40 mg of ruthenium is required per kilowatt, a stark contrast to the significant amounts of platinum and iridium used in conventional proton-exchange membrane electrolyzers.
The researchers conducted extensive electrochemical analyses and industrial-scale tests, coupled with theoretical simulations, to understand the catalytic behavior of ruthenium nanoparticles and assess the material's catalytic activity. Their findings were complemented by a techno-economic analysis, demonstrating the technology's competitiveness with current state-of-the-art electrolysers.
Moreover, the durability and robustness of alkaline electrolyzers, the technology chosen for this advancement, is well established. Its reliability was famously demonstrated on the Apollo 11 capsule in 1969. The novel ruthenium-based cathodes developed for these alkaline electrolyzers promise not only high efficiency but also an extended operating life, thereby reducing the costs associated with green hydrogen production.
Looking ahead, the research team plans to integrate this breakthrough with other advanced technologies, including nanostructured catalysts based on sustainable two-dimensional materials. The goal is to scale up these technologies for use in larger electrolysers powered by renewable energy sources, such as electricity generated by photovoltaic panels.
Research Report:Ru-Cu Nanoheterostructures for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Water Electrolyzers
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Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT
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