A team of researchers from the University of Nottingham has discovered a way to transform metal waste into a catalyst for producing hydrogen from water, making hydrogen production more sustainable. By utilizing swarf, a byproduct of the metal machining industry, the researchers found that the textured surface of swarf on a nanoscale level can anchor atoms of platinum or cobalt, creating an efficient electrocatalyst for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. This research has been published in the Journal of Material Chemistry A.
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that can be used for generating heat or powering vehicles, and its only byproduct is water vapor. However, most hydrogen production methods rely on fossil fuel feedstock. Electrolysis of water is a promising green pathway for hydrogen production, as it requires only water and electricity. The challenge faced by the industry is the expensive and rare elements like platinum needed for catalyzing water splitting. With the limited global supply and increasing costs of precious metals, there is a need for alternative electrocatalyst materials.
Dr Jesum Alves Fernandes, from the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham, led the research team and discovered nanotextured surfaces on metal waste using a scanning electron microscope. By using magnetron sputtering, platinum atoms were deposited on the swarf’s surface and formed nanoparticles that fit into the nanoscale grooves. This enabled the researchers to produce hydrogen from water using only a tenth of the amount of platinum loading compared to commercial catalysts, with a laboratory-scale electrolyser operating with 100% efficiency and producing 0.5 litres of hydrogen gas per minute from a single piece of swarf.
The researchers are collaborating with AqSorption Ltd, a Nottingham-based company specializing in electrolyser design and fabrication, to scale up their technology. Professor Andrei Khlobystov from the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham highlights the potential impact of the electrocatalysts made from swarf on the economy, as it enables the production of green hydrogen using minimal precious metal and upcycles metal waste from the aerospace industry in a single process. The partnership aims to accelerate the development and deployment of innovation in green industries and advanced manufacturing through the Zero Carbon Cluster in the East Midlands.
Professor Tom Rodden, PVC for Research & Knowledge Exchange at the University of Nottingham, emphasizes the importance of developing hydrogen propulsion systems to address zero-carbon challenges in transport and manufacturing industries. Sustainable production of green hydrogen through water splitting via electrolysis requires advancements in materials design, making the research on transforming metal waste into efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen production a significant step towards achieving this goal. This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize the hydrogen production process and contribute towards a more sustainable future.
