Improved catalyst production lowers electrolysis costs

Water electrolysis is widely used for hydrogen production, but there are still high costs associated with manufacturing advanced electrolysis catalysts, which may involve high temperatures and pressures or chemical vapor deposition. Extending research conducted at the University of Kansas’ Bioscience & and Technology Business Center (Lawrence, Kan.; www.btbcku.com), startup company Avium, LLC (www.aviumenergy.com) has developed a new technology that promises to simplify the manufacture of high-performance catalysts for alkaline electrolysis systems. Avium’s patented synthesis method uses water as its only solvent, and the only energy input is for a microwave heating step, which produces a highly active dual-element matrix (DEM) catalyst structure, explains Joseph Barforoush, Avium chief technology officer. Whereas conventional catalysts depend on precious metals, such as platinum or iridium, Avium’s DEM catalysts utilize pairs of abundant metals, such as nickel and iron. The microwave-synthesis method enables homogenous dispersion of the metals, which helps to maximize the number of active sites in the DEM. “The key to improving catalyst efficiency is that the two elements in the DEM produce a synergistic effect, resulting…