New Durable Nonprecious Metal Hydrogen Production Electrode

University of Tsukuba researchers have developed highly durable electrodes without precious metals to enable direct hydrogen production from seawater.

Water electrolysis utilizing renewable energy sources is emerging as a promising clean method for hydrogen production. But the water electrolysis method, a promising avenue for hydrogen production, relies on substantial freshwater consumption, thereby limiting the regions available with water resources required for water electrolysis. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a new technology for water electrolysis that can directly harness the abundant supply of seawater.

The paper reporting the results has been published as “Durable high-entropy non-noble metal anodes for neutral seawater electrolysis” in the Chemical Engineering Journal.

During seawater electrolysis, the anode reaction generates oxygen from water, chlorine gas, and hypochlorous acid from chloride ions.

Precious metal electrodes, such as platinum oxide, ruthenium oxide, and iridium oxide, which are unaffected by chlorine, are widely used as anode electrodes.

Although precious metals are undesirable as electrodes for the widespread seawater electrolysis technology, non-noble metals, which are highly reactive with chloride ions, cannot be employed for durable anodes.

A graphical illustration of multi-elemental alloy electrode composed of nine non-noble metal elements. Image Credit: University of Tsukuba. There is an expanded abstract at Chemical Engineering Journal. However the full study is behind a paywall.

The research group developed a multi-elemental alloy electrode composed of nine non-noble metal elements and conducted an accelerated degradation test, consisting of turning the power supply on and off, which mainly caused degradation during the operation of the water electrolysis system.

The results suggest sustained anode performances for over a decade when powered by solar energy.

The anode made of this alloy requires higher voltages than that of the precious metal, such as iridium oxide. However, this anode offers direct seawater electrolysis without using fresh water. This innovation is expected to transcend geographical restrictions owing to the availability of fresh water, thereby promoting hydrogen production in regions abundant with renewable energy, such as coastal desert areas.

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This research may well encourage more hydrogen production. There is an abundance of seawater, wind and sunshine and a deep cost cut from the precious metal problem could well incite much more attention.

The bugs, such as more voltage, aren’t really clear and even the study paper isn’t making a quick illustrative comparison. But the paper is showing 6000 cycles and a 100-hour life span.

So there looks like some market legs are under this research.  Trials look to be a very good idea.

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