Elemental and crystal analysis image of a double-walled nanotube catalyst based on Pt, Ru, and P ternary material (PtRuP2) developed using the ‘ion exchange’ method
[가스신문 = 양인범 기자] A joint research team from Korea University, Sungkyunkwan University, KIST, and Dongguk University has found a technical solution that significantly reduces the cost of producing green hydrogen. Professor Gwangryeol Lee’s research team from Korea University, Professor Sangwook Lee’s research team from Sungkyunkwan University, Dr. Seongjong Yoo from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), and the research team of Professor Jin Haneul from Dongguk University implemented an anion exchange membrane using a ternary material (PtRuP2) containing platinum, ruthenium, and phosphorus in the form of a double-walled nanotube. The anode material was developed for water electrolysis devices.
The research team succeeded in implementing a ternary material (PtRuP2) containing platinum, ruthenium, and phosphorus in the form of a double-walled nanotube by controlling nanoparticles using a new method called ‘negative/cation exchange’. In addition, by using this as an anode material, we were able to optimize the anion exchange membrane water electrolysis device and significantly reduce the unit cost of green hydrogen production compared to commercial platinum and ruthenium catalysts.
In recognition of its importance, this research result was selected as a back cover paper in ‘Advanced Energy Materials’ (IF 27.8, JCR top field 3%), an international academic journal in the field of energy and materials. as a leader research project supported by the Korea National Research Institute, a key university research institute support project, and a new and renewable energy core technology development project of the Korea Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning Institute.
A domestic research team has achieved a technical achievement in significantly reducing the production costs incurred during the green hydrogen manufacturing process. Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced in an eco-friendly way without carbon dioxide emissions, and is a core technology of carbon neutral technology. Most of the hydrogen currently produced is classified as ‘grey hydrogen’, and CO₂ is produced during the production process using natural gas and water vapour. However, green hydrogen, which is produced by breaking down water using electrical energy, is attracting attention as a means of producing hydrogen without CO₂ emissions.
Anion exchange membrane (HEM) water electrolysis technology is an innovative next-generation water electrolysis technology that combines the outstanding features of alkaline water electrolysis (AEC) and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolysis. However, the commercialization of water electrolysis technology is limited due to the low activity and durability of the currently applied catalysts, so the development of price competitive catalyst materials to ensure high performance anion exchange membrane water electrolysis for green hydrogen production is urgent.
According to the performance evaluation results of the water electrolysis catalyst, the developed double-walled nanotube water electrolysis catalyst based on PtRuP2 showed a current density of 9.40 A/cm2 (ampere per square centimeter) in the 2.0 V range, which is the water electrolysis. operating voltage. This is more than 1.7 times better than the current density of 5.44 A/c㎡ of the commercial platinum catalyst, and it showed a long-term durability of about 270 hours or more.
The research team discovered that Ru and Pt, which are lattified by P anions, are specialized for the decomposition of water and the production of hydrogen, respectively, and that the performance of the catalyst can be optimized by realizing a synergistic effect between every atom within the nanostructure. proved it by theoretical analysis and XAS real-time experimental analysis of operando.
Professor Gwangryeol Lee from Korea University said, “This research result is to control the phase and morphology of materials in a completely new method called ‘ion exchange’ in the development of nanocatalysts, which expands the methodology for the development of various nanocatalysts and excellent.” This is possible,” he said, adding, “If various catalysts are developed through this method, it is expected that water electrolysis catalyst technology will be able to grow to a new level.”
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