This report describes the mid-term progress towards the project’s aims of significantly reducing the cost of the electrodes that are the basis of the most common process to generate green hydrogen.
Report extract
This project brings together complementary expertise of ANU and Monash University in the engineering, design and characterisation of electrocatalysts to develop scalable methods for the fabrication of efficient, low-cost and robust electrodes for H2 production from renewable energy sources via electrochemical water splitting. This process is central to the “Renewable hydrogen for export” goal, as the most feasible source of sustainable hydrogen. Despite recent progress, most research on electrochemical water splitting has focused on catalyst discovery with the use of often prohibitively sophisticated methods. In stark contrast, here we will build upon innovative fabrication techniques developed by the research partners, aiming to engineer efficient and cost-effective electrodes based on earth-abundant, low-cost elements such as iron. Key features of the project include: design of efficient large-area water splitting electrodes, demonstration of the scalability of the developed fabrication methods and exhaustive stability tests under technologically relevant conditions. High-performance water oxidation electrodes are also indispensable for other electrosynthesis processes including production of ammonia from dinitrogen. Thus, the project will eventuate in the development of innovative technologies, which are urgently needed for durable and cost-efficient H2 and NH3 production, resulting in immediate technological and commercial value.