A hydrogen fuel cell power plant in Dongtan, south of Seoul. (image: Korea Energy Agency)
DAEJEON, Nov. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — A new technology has been developed that enables next-generation eco-friendly hydrogen fuel to be produced at a lower cost.
The state-run Institute for Basic Science announced on Tuesday that it had developed a new catalyst that lasts longer than conventional catalysts, with the unit cost being reduced by 95 percent.
At present, ruthenium oxide and iridium oxide are used as the main catalysts for electrolysis. However, they are very expensive with their price estimated at higher than US$70,000 per kilogram, and they cannot last for more than 24 hours.
Accordingly, most hydrogen fuel is secured through the byproducts generated during the oil-refining process.
The research team developed the new catalyst by attaching oxygen atoms to less expensive cobalt, iron and a tiny amount of ruthenium metal.
The newly-developed catalyst is 95 percent cheaper than conventional catalysts, while being able to last for more than 100 hours.
The cutting-edge catalyst can contribute to boosting hydrogen fuel production by six times compared to conventional catalysts, as well as generating oxygen with far lower voltage.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
