Researchers at Seoul National University have developed a nano-scaled platinum catalyst that reduces precious metal usage while increasing hydrogen production efficiency [1, 2].
This breakthrough addresses the high cost of platinum, a primary barrier to the widespread adoption of hydrogen energy. By reducing the amount of expensive metal required without sacrificing performance, the technology could make green hydrogen production more economically viable.
Song Chan-kyung, a postdoctoral researcher at the Seoul National University Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, led the development [1, 2]. The team created platinum particles with a size approximately 100,000th the thickness of a human hair [1]. This extreme miniaturization increases the ratio of platinum atoms exposed on the surface, which enhances the catalytic reaction.
According to the research, a single platinum atom in this new configuration can generate roughly 160 hydrogen molecules per second [1]. This high level of activity allows the new catalyst to use 10 times less platinum than conventional commercial catalysts while delivering superior performance [1].
"Because small particles were used, the ratio of platinum atoms exposed on the surface increased, enabling high-efficiency hydrogen production and stable operation," Song said [1].
The development took place in South Korea and was reported in June 2024 [1, 2]. The focus of the study was to simultaneously improve the stability and efficiency of hydrogen production, and lower the financial burden associated with noble metal catalysts [1, 2].
“The new catalyst uses 10 times less platinum than conventional commercial catalysts.”
The transition to a hydrogen economy depends on reducing the 'green premium'—the additional cost of producing clean energy compared to fossil fuels. By slashing the platinum requirement by 90% through nano-engineering, this research removes a critical material bottleneck, potentially lowering the capital expenditure for industrial-scale electrolyzers.
