South Korean Scientists Develop Cost-Effective Catalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Production from Ammonia
Key Ideas
  • Korean researchers at KRICT have developed a cobalt-iron catalyst that enhances hydrogen production from ammonia at lower temperatures.
  • The catalyst integrates cerium oxide into a cobalt-iron structure, improving ammonia decomposition efficiency and stability for sustainable hydrogen energy.
  • Achieving an 81.9% conversion rate at 450°C, the catalyst outperformed previous nickel-based systems, showing potential for commercialization by 2030.
In South Korea, the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) has made significant progress in the field of hydrogen energy with the development of a new cobalt-iron (CoFe)-based catalyst. Led by Dr. Lee Su-yeon and Dr. Chae Ho-jeong, the research team integrated cerium oxide into a cobalt-iron layered double oxide (LDO) structure, resulting in a breakthrough catalyst for ammonia decomposition. Ammonia, known for its potential as a zero-carbon energy carrier, can now be more efficiently converted to hydrogen thanks to this innovative catalyst. Traditionally, extracting hydrogen from ammonia required high temperatures and expensive ruthenium-based catalysts. However, the new catalyst offers a more cost-effective solution by enabling high ammonia decomposition efficiency at lower temperatures. With a maximum conversion rate of 81.9% at 450 degrees Celsius, the cobalt-iron catalyst demonstrates superior performance compared to previous nickel-based systems. One key advantage of the catalyst is its long-term stability, maintaining structural integrity and efficiency even after extended operation at 550 degrees Celsius. The addition of cerium oxide prevents metal particle agglomeration and contributes to enhanced catalyst performance. These features make the catalyst not only efficient but also sustainable for long-term hydrogen production. The research team's future plans involve further optimizing the catalyst for low-temperature hydrogen production, with the goal of commercialization by 2030. This development paves the way for a cost-effective and sustainable solution in the clean hydrogen energy sector, marking a significant advancement towards achieving a more environmentally friendly energy landscape.
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