POSTECH researchers have developed a cost-effective and highly efficient catalyst for water electrolysis, as reported in Advanced Materials. This breakthrough addresses longstanding challenges in the eco-friendly production of hydrogen fuel, marked by low efficiency and high costs.
  The use of precious metals like platinum in water electrolysis has raised concerns about excessive production costs, coupled with issues in managing hydrogen bubbles with conventional thin-film catalysts. The research team, led by Professor Jong Kyu Kim (MSE) and Jaerim Kim (MSE), in collaboration with Prof. Yong-Tae Kim (MSE) and Ph.D. Sang-Mun Jung, aimed to overcome these challenges.
  To tackle economic constraints related to precious metal catalysts, the team employed an inclined angle deposition method with nickel (Ni), a non-precious metal catalyst abundant on Earth. This approach created cost-effective nanostructures, and the vertically oriented nanorod protrusion structure of synthesized nickel proved effective in preventing hydrogen adhesion during electrolysis. This innovation facilitated the efficient separation of hydrogen bubbles, resulting in a stable and enhanced hydrogen production process.
  The team’s porous three-dimensional nanorod nickel catalyst electrode, featuring effective pore channels, exhibited a remarkable 55-fold improvement in hydrogen production efficiency compared to conventional thin-film structures using the same amount of nickel.
  Prof. Kim, who led the research, highlighted the significance of their findings in advancing the efficiency of water electrolysis for green hydrogen production, bringing us closer to a hydrogen economy and a carbon-neutral society. The research’s broader applicability extends beyond water electrolysis, potentially impacting surface reactions such as carbon dioxide reduction and light energy conversion systems, contributing significantly to the broader field of renewable energy. Though Prof. Kim’s research results above, we can expect a new world of energy innovation.
  This research received support from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT).