Electrocatalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Background

Thanks to its high energy density and environmental sustainability, hydrogen is emerging as a promising alternative to fossil fuels and a primary energy carrier. Carbon-free hydrogen production can be achieved through water electrolysis. In this process, hydrogen is generated via the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), while the oxygen evolution reaction occurs at the anode.

Description of invention

Our technology introduces a new electrocatalytic composite for the HER, featuring ruthenium (Ru) nanoparticles supported on a titanium oxynitride (TiON) composite, with or without graphene, and utilizing a low metal content. The enhanced performance of the Ru/TiON catalyst is due to the precise design of the material, where each component plays a crucial role.

Main advantages

The Ru/TiON catalyst enables a more efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) operation in alkaline electrolytes compared to the Pt/C catalyst due to the following:

• At a current density of 10 mA/cm², a lower potential for the HER is
  required,
• Ru/TiON offers a nearly four times higher mass activity,
• Currently, Ru comes at half the price of Pt.