Revolutionizing Electrolyzers: Enhancing Green Hydrogen Production with Innovative Coating Technology
Key Ideas
  • Oxford nanoSystems Ltd. has developed a new coating technology, nanoFLUX, which significantly improves the productivity of alkaline electrolyzers for green hydrogen production.
  • The nanoFLUX coating enhances bubble release and surface re-wetting, leading to a higher density of smaller bubbles and minimizing resistance in the electrolyzer system.
  • This innovative coating technology reduces the cost of producing green hydrogen by over 50%, making it more economically feasible and sustainable.
  • The process involves electroless deposition and growth of the nanoFLUX layer, combined with electroplating of a non-PGM catalyst, demonstrating potential for commercial production by 2025.
Oxford nanoSystems Ltd. in Abingdon, U.K., has developed a groundbreaking coating technology, nanoFLUX, that is revolutionizing the productivity of alkaline electrolyzers used for producing green hydrogen. By applying this new coating to electrodes, the electrical current in the system is boosted, resulting in increased hydrogen production rates. The nanoFLUX coating, with its unique dendritic structure, enhances bubble formation and release, promoting surface re-wetting and minimizing resistance due to bubble buildup. This advancement eliminates the need for expensive platinum-group metals traditionally used in coating materials, making the production of green hydrogen more cost-effective. Ian Russell, the CEO of OnS, highlights that the increase in production capacity achieved through the nanoFLUX coating significantly reduces the CAPEX cost of alkaline electrolyzers, ultimately lowering the overall cost of green hydrogen production. The coating process, involving electroless deposition and catalytic electroplating, has been combined with a non-PGM catalyst to activate the hydrogen-generation reaction. The critical role of bubble release in facilitating the electrochemistry reaction is emphasized, as gas bubbles can form insulating layers that reduce the effective area of the electrode. The innovative nanoFLUX coating, along with the proprietary catalyst, offers a sustainable solution for enhancing the efficiency of electrolyzer systems and promoting the widespread adoption of green hydrogen technologies. OnS is currently operating a demonstration plant to coat electrodes of commercial scale with plans for full commercial production in 2025. This advancement in coating technology signifies a significant step towards making green hydrogen production more economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
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