Ruthenium catalyst developed for sustainable hydrogen production

Described as ‘a major breakthrough’ by Seoul National University (SNU)’s College of Engineering, the research was led by SNU’s Professor Jin Young Kim in collaboration with Professor Chan Woo Lee from Kookmin University and Dr Sung Jong Yoo from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).

Detailed in Energy & Environmental Science, the catalyst features a ruthenium-based nanocluster with a core-shell structure. Despite using a minimal amount of precious metal, it is claimed to deliver ‘world-class performance’ and exceptional stability. Moreover, when applied to industrial-scale water electrolysis equipment, it demonstrated ‘remarkable efficiency’.

Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (AEMWE) is gaining attention as a next-generation technology, but it requires catalysts that offer high efficiency and long-term stability for it to be commercially viable

Currently, platinum is the most widely used catalyst for hydrogen production, but its high cost and rapid degradation present significant challenges. While researchers have explored non-precious metal alternatives, these materials typically suffer from low efficiency and poor stability, making them unsuitable for industrial use.