Improving Electrochemical Fuel Reaction

The response result of hydrogen production improved by nanometer sized surface flaws occurred on molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) catalysts. (photo courtesy: KRICT)
The response result of hydrogen production improved by nanometer sized surface flaws occurred on molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) catalysts. (photo courtesy: KRICT)

 

The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) has developed a core electro-catalyst design technology that can significantly improve electrochemical fuel reaction which produces hydrogen fuel.

The research team led by Dr. Kim Hyung-joo from CO2 energy vector research division at the KRICT announced on September 27 that it succeeded in developing the technology that can activate fuel reaction by changing the surface of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) which is cheaper than white gold.

Hydrogen reaction is a core technology that generates hydrogen from water through electrochemical reaction. This is why it is considered a next-generation technology that can replace fossil fuels and is being studied all around the world.

Until now, white gold had been used as an electro-catalyst due to high reaction and efficiency but it was hard to apply to actual hydrogen mass production technology as it is expensive and a lack of reserves. Accordingly, it was urgent to develop a catalyst that has a high activity and abundant reserves as well as low prices.

The research team first discovered that the flaws are formed on the original surface of MoS2 catalysts when electrochemically removing coated titanium dioxide after coating titanium dioxide atomic layers on the surface of MoS2 using atomic layer deposition technology.

As a result, it found out that the flaws on the surface of electrode catalysts create embossed curves on the surface which leads to high hydrogen reaction.

Meanwhile, the findings of the studies were published as the cover story of the international journal Advanced Functional Materials on September 13.  

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