A breakthrough from researchers at City University of Hong Kong could make green hydrogen — one of the cleanest energy sources on Earth — cheaper and more sustainable than ever before.
Scientists have unveiled a new type of cathode that can withstand fluctuating power levels during the process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.
This is extraordinary because most renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, don't produce power at a constant rate — and that inconsistency has made large-scale hydrogen production difficult.
"Our work mainly addresses oxidation and performance loss issues during intermittent alkaline (sea)water electrolysis," explained Professor Liu Bin from CityUHK's Department of Materials Science and Engineering in a school release. "The technology works at industrial-scale current levels and can withstand harsh conditions, making it suitable for large-scale deployment.
The new system, detailed in the Nature journal, features a self-healing protective layer that prevents damage when energy input fluctuates — for example, when the sun goes behind a cloud or the wind drops. This improvement helps extend the life of electrolyzers, which are essential for turning renewable energy into storable hydrogen fuel.
To read more, click here.