This technology is a method for producing bimetallic electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions.
Generation of CO2-free hydrogen from water is essential to the chemical industry and offers a promising alternative energy fuel source for the future. Chemical reduction of water or oxidation of hydrogen gas can be achieved by hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) and hydrogen oxidation reactions (HOR). HER and HOR require metallic electrocatalysts that are typically produced using precious metals that are cost-prohibitive for many applications. There is currently a lack of inexpensive electrocatalysts that are capable of efficient, scalable, hydrogen production.
This method synthesizes bimetallic catalysts using copper and other non-precious metals. These metallic alloys have a surface in the form of a vermiculated arrangement of irregular, nanoporous lands separated by troughs or channels to greatly increase surface area and achieve higher hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity than existing catalysts. The resulting material has a highly active surface, long term stability, and enhanced mass transport properties to enable efficient production of CO2-free hydrogen using sustainable resources. As a result, this technology provides an improved, cost-effective alloy that can be used as an electrocatalyst in a water electrolyzer or a hydrogen fuel cell.
This technology exhibits superior HER activity when tested against commercial electrocatalysts made from precious metals.
IR CU15302
Licensing Contact: Satish Rao