KIST Develops Catalyst to Lower Green Hydrogen Production Costs
Key Ideas
- KIST's Jinyoung Kim Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research Group developed a catalyst reducing iridium usage by 1/20, improving efficiency by four times compared to conventional catalysts.
- The catalyst exhibited high durability with less than 5% performance reduction after 100 hours, outperforming traditional catalysts.
- The nanoporous structure facilitated faster movement of hydrogen and oxygen, showcasing promise for commercialization after further research.
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) recently revealed a breakthrough in green hydrogen production with the development of a cost-effective catalyst. The catalyst, created by senior researchers at the Jinyoung Kim Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research Group, addresses the high cost associated with catalysts, which typically represent 40% of green hydrogen production expenses due to the use of expensive materials like iridium. By significantly reducing iridium usage by 1/20, the newly developed catalyst demonstrated a fourfold increase in water electrolysis efficiency compared to conventional options. It also showcased exceptional durability, with minimal performance degradation of less than 5% over a 100-hour evaluation period, surpassing the longevity of existing catalysts. Moreover, the catalyst's nanoporous structure not only enhanced the speed of hydrogen and oxygen movement but also set the stage for potential commercialization following additional research efforts by the team.