Advancements in Hydrogen Energy: Scientists Make Key Discoveries in Efficient Water Splitting material
Researchers from the department of Inorganic Chemistry at the Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max Planck Gesellschaft and Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin have made significant progress in the field of renewable energy, publishing their findings in Catalysis Science & Technology. Their paper, featured on the back cover and entitled „Thermal Synthesis of Electron Deficient Oxygen Species on Crystalline IrO2", presents new insights on the materials for water splitting, a critical process in the hydrogen economy.
Water splitting technology, which breaks water into hydrogen and oxygen, is a cornerstone of renewable energy. However, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), a key step in this process, has been notoriously slow, hindering the efficiency of water splitting. The team's research focuses on iridium-based oxides, particularly crystalline IrO2, known for their potential in improving OER under acidic conditions due to their unique combination of activity and stability.
The study focuses on electron-deficient oxygen species O(I−) on crystalline IrO2, which are known to lead to increased OER activity. Previously, achieving high levels of O(I−) was challenging without compromising the material's stability due to the dissolution of iridium. The breakthrough came when the scientists demonstrated that these vital O(I−) species could be formed on IrO2 through mild thermal oxidation, challenging the conventional wisdom by demonstrating that the presence of O(I−) does not necessitate the detrimental formation of unstable Ir(III) species.
This discovery opens the door to developing more efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting, bringing us closer to a sustainable hydrogen economy. By harnessing controlled conditions to prepare O(I−), the study offers a promising avenue towards unlocking the full potential of Ir-based materials for sustainable hydrogen production.
The Fritz-Haber-Institute is proud to contribute to the global effort towards renewable energy solutions. This research not only advances our understanding of material science but also marks a significant step forward in our journey towards a greener future.
