South Korean Researchers Develop Highly Efficient Ruthenium Catalyst for Hydrogen Production
Key Ideas
- Seoul National University (SNU) researchers led by Prof. Jin Young Kim developed a ruthenium-based nanocluster catalyst for hydrogen production with world-class performance and stability.
- The new catalyst is over twice as cost-effective as platinum, demonstrating 4.4 times higher performance while requiring less precious metal and power in industrial-scale testing.
- The core-shell catalyst structure optimized for hydrogen evolution reaction offers high efficiency and stability, making it suitable for various applications including hydrogen fuel cells and eco-friendly transportation systems.
A research team led by Seoul National University's Prof. Jin Young Kim, in collaboration with other South Korean institutions, has developed a highly efficient ruthenium-based nanocluster catalyst for hydrogen production. Published in Energy & Environmental Science, the catalyst features a core-shell structure and offers world-class performance and stability, surpassing platinum catalysts. The new catalyst is more cost-effective than platinum, providing 4.4 times higher performance while using less precious metal and power in industrial-scale water electrolysis. The catalyst's foam electrode structure optimizes material supply and ensures stability under high current densities. By utilizing a novel core-shell structure based on ruthenium, the researchers have overcome the limitations of platinum catalysts, making the catalyst suitable for hydrogen fuel cells, eco-friendly transportation, and industrial applications. Prof. Jin Young Kim highlighted the breakthrough's significance in advancing nano core-shell device fabrication technology and moving towards a carbon-neutral future.