In a groundbreaking advancement for green hydrogen production, a European team, spearheaded by the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) in Barcelona, has developed a revolutionary catalyst for water electrolysis. This catalyst, based on cobalt, eliminates the dependency on rare and costly materials like iridium, paving the way for more sustainable and economically viable green hydrogen production. Through a process called delamination, the researchers successfully replaced tungsten oxides in the catalyst with water molecules and hydroxyl groups, enhancing its stability in acidic environments typical of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. Published in Science, the research highlights a collaboration between ICFO and esteemed institutions like ICIQ, ICN2, CNRS, and more, signifying a significant leap towards industrializing green hydrogen production. Dr. Lu Xia, a lead co-author, underlines the breakthrough's importance, emphasizing the achieved current density milestone and stability. While the team acknowledges remaining challenges in catalyst lifespan and material optimization, ongoing efforts to explore nickel and manganese-based alternatives aim to further enhance performance and durability. With a patent filed for the new technology, the researchers aspire to expedite its industrial adoption, playing a vital role in the global transition to cleaner renewable energies and decarbonization.