Engineering the Next Generation of Efficient Electrocatalysts for the Production of Renewable Hydrogen: A Sustainable Approach using Electrolysis

Project Description

Renewable or green hydrogen, which is generated from the splitting of water, has the potential to make a significant contribution to Ireland’s climate targets. Although the technology is known, it uses expensive platinum electrocatalysts, and is not competitive. The production of blue hydrogen is more cost-effective and while the carbon dioxide produced can be stored, this is not a long-term sustainable approach as there is a limit to the amount of carbon dioxide that can be stored in Ireland.

This project aims to engineer the next generation of cost-effective, durable, stable and high performing electrocatalysts that can be employed in an electrolyser powered by clean wind or wave energy to generate renewable hydrogen.

The optimised electrocatalysts will be used in various electrolysers to produce renewable hydrogen, including a seawater electrolyser that could be coupled with offshore wind farms.