Published by Todd Bush on January 31, 2024
SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally, the transition to greener sources of energy requires the use of efficient catalysts for fuel generation reactions. Now, scientists at Dongguk University have synthesized an efficient catalysts for the oxygen evolution reactions β a component of water-splitting process that produces hydrogen and oxygen. The catalyst, synthesized using molybdenum and ruthenium, exhibits high activity, reaction rates, and durability, opening doors to the cost-effective and large-scale production of next-generation catalysts using diverse materials.
>> In Other News: Solidec Joins Chevron Technology Ventures' Catalyst Program to Build a Carbon-Capturing Electrolyzer
Scientists Design A New Catalyst to Generate Green Fuel from Water
sChemical energy storages is a promising solution for circumventing the global energy challenges. Reduction of water to molecular hydrogen via the splitting water reaction is a key method. However, issues like low catalyst activity, slow reaction speed, and catalyst degradation pose challenges.
Now, in a recent study led by Professor Young-Kyu Han and Assistant Professor Jitendra N. Tiwari from the Department of Energy and Materials Engineering at Dongguk University, scientists have developed an effective oxygen evolution reaction catalyst with molybdenum and ruthenium. Their study was made available online on July 29, 2023, and published in Volume 339 of Applied Catalysis B: Environmental on December 15, 2023. According to Prof. Han, "Carbon materials are crucial for commercial acidic polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers. At high voltages, however, carbon atoms degrade in strongly acidic media, necessitating the need for new catalyst materials beyond carbon materials."
The study involved implanting ruthenium oxide into a two-dimensional molybdenum carbide to create a catalyst (Mo2TiC2Tx MXene) with high mass activity, turnover frequency, and durability. Calculations also indicated that the ruthenium sites had a strong affinity towards oxygen species, which enhanced the reaction.
These findings are significant, as sthe global aim is to achieve 80% renewable electricity by 2050s. Hydrogen and oxygen have diverse industrial applications, spanning clean fuel, power generation, chemical production, and life-support systems. Notably, more than 90% of hydrogen is in petroleum recovery and refining (47%) and ammonia production (45%) alone.
The transportation sector will also benefit. Elaborating on this, Dr. Tiwari says, "The need for decarbonizing the transportation sector makes hydrogen a promising alternative. Going ahead, fuel cell vehicles are expected to efficiently convert hydrogen into electrical energy, emitting only water, with longer driving ranges than battery electric vehicles. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cells do not need recharging and don't degrade if hydrogen fuel is present, unlike in batteries," observes Dr. Tiwari.
This study thus serves as a guide for researchers to create new catalysts for acidic water oxidation. It also sheds light on achieving cost-effective, large-scale catalyst production using diverse materials, such as dual-transition metal catalysts.
Reference
Title of original paper: Atomic layers of ruthenium oxide coupled with Mo2TiC2Tx MXene for exceptionally high catalytic activity toward water oxidation
Journal: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2023.123139
SOURCE Dongguk University
Follow the money flow of climate, technology, and energy investments to uncover new opportunities and jobs.
Inside the Issue π Global Leaders Converge in Edmonton September 23-25 for Carbon Capture Canada as Federal Government Expected to Boost Industrial Carbon Pricing in Fall 2025 βοΈ Delta Partners Wi...
Inside This Issue π EPA Releases Proposal to End the Burdensome, Costly Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, Saving up to $2.4 Billion π California to Extend Cap-and-trade Program Aimed at Advancing ...
Inside this Issue βοΈ CORSIA Transforms Aviation Compliance Into Market Gold Rush π IEA Cuts 2030 Low-emissions Hydrogen Production Outlook by Nearly a Quarter π€ GenH2 Executive Chairman Josh McMor...
More than 5,000 attendees are expected at Canadaβs national Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) convention to address industry opportunities in the sector from geopolitical advantage to ...
1PointFive and NYK Announce Carbon Removal Agreement
Second NYK transaction continues to build momentum for Direct Air Capture as a solution for the maritime sector HOUSTON, Sept. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 1PointFive, a carbon capture, utilizatio...
Led by cornerstone investors Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, with International Airlines Group (IAG), Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airlines from oneworld alliance, and Singapore Airlines as part o...
Eaton to Showcase Technologies for Hydrogen-Powered Commercial Vehicles at IAA Transportation 2024
HANOVER, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intelligent power management company Eaton announced it will showcase a broad range of innovative solutions for hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles September 17β...
Follow the money flow of climate, technology, and energy investments to uncover new opportunities and jobs.