2DTMCH2 · Development of two-dimensional transition metal compound based efficient electrocatalyst for green H2 production
Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2023-02-01 → 2025-02-28
- EU contribution
- €166,279
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Development of two-dimensional transition metal compound based efficient electrocatalyst for green H2 production
Context and Overall Objectives of the Project: The world faces an energy crisis and environmental pollution due to fossil fuel reliance. Hydrogen production via water splitting offers a clean solution, but challenges like catalyst cost and performance hinder widespread adoption. This project focuses on two-dimensional (2D) transition metal compounds (TMCs), such as WS2/Ti3C2, Mo2S3-WS2, and TM1/3NbS2, as bifunctional catalysts for electrochemical and photochemical water splitting. By leveraging the unique properties of 2D materials, the project aims to develop efficient, scalable catalysts, advancing sustainable hydrogen production and integrating renewable energy systems like solar cells. Project Pathway to Impact: This project delivers efficient, cost-effective catalysts to accelerate clean energy transitions. By demonstrating the potential of advanced 2D materials and TMCs as bifunctional catalysts, this project addresses key barriers such as catalyst stability, activity, and scalability. The successful integration of these materials into practical water-splitting devices, such as electrolyzers coupled with renewable energy sources like solar power, could pave the way for scalable, zero-emission hydrogen production technologies. The high current densities and low cell voltages achieved by the Mo2S3-WS2 and Fe1/3NbS2-based electrolyzers, along with their long-term stability, showcase the scalability and durability of these materials for real-world applications. Political and Strategic Context: Hydrogen production aligns with global climate goals and renewable energy priorities. By addressing catalyst efficiency and cost, this project supports net-zero emissions and energy security objectives. The focus on scalable catalysts contributes to the EU Green Deal, hydrogen strategies, and global efforts to transition to sustainable energy systems. Conclusion: This project advances clean energy through innovative TMC-based catalysts, offering scalable solutions for hydrogen production. The integration with renewable systems enhances sustainability and economic viability, driving the transition to a greener energy landscape.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The rapid progress in intermittent solar, wind technologies has created an urgent need to develop parallel technologies of storing energy in forms that are suitable for on-site applications as well as long distance transmission. The present method of storing the surplus energy in batteries is not a viable solution in the long run, owing to the limited reserves and toxicity of battery materials. In such a scenario, storing the obtained energy in the form of H2 fuel is a fairly attractive strategy. Alkaline water electrolyzer (AWE) have been a key technology for large-scale hydrogen production and are capable of generating energy in MW range. Alkaline water electrolyzer (AWE) still requires technological make-over to reach the desired efficiency of about 90 % from the current 70 %. On the other hand, counterpart technology of proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzer is highly efficient, but its investment cost and low lifetime limits commercialization. The investment cost of AWE today is around 1000-1200 $/kW, and PEM is 1700-2500 $/kW. In addition, the lifetime of AWE is higher and the annual maintenance costs are lower compared to PEM. Although AWE has an economic advantage over PEM, integrating AWE with an intermittent energy source of solar and wind power requires a major advancement in the design to be used in dynamic operating conditions. The key objective of this research is to develop a multipurpose low-cost water electrolyzer for H2 production by electrolysis of alkaline-water with special focus on seawater (alkaline) water to store intermittent energy sources (solar and wind) in form of clean fuel. Unfortunately, there are no commercial electrolyzer that run on seawater, owing to the associated research and technical challenges of high activity, OER selectivity, stability, and low cost. The present project aims to develop AWE stacks for H2 production employing efficient, cost-effective two-dimensional transition metal compounds (2D-TMC).
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- VYSOKA SKOLA CHEMICKO-TECHNOLOGICKA V PRAZE · PRAHACoordinatorCzechia
Links
- View on CORDIS
- DOI: 10.3030/101063410
- https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e51bf8df14&appId=PPGMS
- https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e5fed406f8&appId=PPGMS
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
