Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HEMCAT (Towards Non Iridium High Entropy Material ElectroCATalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Acidic Media)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2021-10-01 al 2023-09-30
The Towards Non Iridium High Entropy Material ElectroCATalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Acidic Media (HEMCAT) project aimed to address a critical challenge in the field of electrocatalysis—the reliance on expensive and scarce materials, particularly iridium, for water electrolysis. The overarching goal was to create new, iridium-free electrocatalysts that would facilitate the cost-effective and scalable electrolysis of water into hydrogen, a crucial step in the development of sustainable hydrogen technologies. The project focused on the development of high-entropy alloy catalysts due to their promising potential and achieved significant advancements, demonstrating notable activity and stability compared to existing electrocatalysts.
The societal importance of this research lies in its contribution to advancing clean energy technologies. Hydrogen, as a clean and versatile energy carrier, holds immense potential for addressing climate change and meeting energy needs sustainably. By eliminating the reliance on iridium, a rare and expensive material, HEMCAT aimed to make hydrogen production more economically viable and environmentally friendly.
The societal importance of this research lies in its contribution to advancing clean energy technologies. Hydrogen, as a clean and versatile energy carrier, holds immense potential for addressing climate change and meeting energy needs sustainably. By eliminating the reliance on iridium, a rare and expensive material, HEMCAT aimed to make hydrogen production more economically viable and environmentally friendly.
The project was structured into two pivotal parts, with a primary emphasis on the synthesis of nanostructured electrocatalysts from titanium-iridium alloys (WP1) and a second crucial aspect involving the preparation and modification of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) (WP2).
In the first part, the synthesis of electrocatalysts from titanium-iridium alloys utilized innovative methodologies, including the development of sputtering for Ti-Ir alloy preparation and the anodization of sputtered films. The anodization process led to the creation of materials with intriguing structures, including iridium single atoms and clusters, showcasing significant advancements in the field.
The second part of the project, focused on HEAs preparation and modification. This phase involved the preparation of HEAs composed of diverse elements, followed by anodization and other treatments to convert them into electrically conductive electrocatalysts. The research required extensive time and resources due to its inherent complexity but still yielded results with immense scientific and technological quality.
Characterization of both Ti-Ir alloys and HEAs (WP3) involved advanced techniques, contributing to an in-depth understanding of the electrocatalysts' properties, activity, and stability. The researcher actively engaged in training, career development, and dissemination activities (WP4), participated at one conference, published three papers and another one will be published shortly, and contributed to outreach efforts.
These combined efforts not only significantly advanced the field of electrocatalysis but also broadened the scope of potential applications, especially in the case of HEAs. The multifaceted exploration of high-entropy materials has the potential to revolutionize clean energy technologies by offering alternatives to expensive and scarce materials traditionally used in electrocatalysis.
In the first part, the synthesis of electrocatalysts from titanium-iridium alloys utilized innovative methodologies, including the development of sputtering for Ti-Ir alloy preparation and the anodization of sputtered films. The anodization process led to the creation of materials with intriguing structures, including iridium single atoms and clusters, showcasing significant advancements in the field.
The second part of the project, focused on HEAs preparation and modification. This phase involved the preparation of HEAs composed of diverse elements, followed by anodization and other treatments to convert them into electrically conductive electrocatalysts. The research required extensive time and resources due to its inherent complexity but still yielded results with immense scientific and technological quality.
Characterization of both Ti-Ir alloys and HEAs (WP3) involved advanced techniques, contributing to an in-depth understanding of the electrocatalysts' properties, activity, and stability. The researcher actively engaged in training, career development, and dissemination activities (WP4), participated at one conference, published three papers and another one will be published shortly, and contributed to outreach efforts.
These combined efforts not only significantly advanced the field of electrocatalysis but also broadened the scope of potential applications, especially in the case of HEAs. The multifaceted exploration of high-entropy materials has the potential to revolutionize clean energy technologies by offering alternatives to expensive and scarce materials traditionally used in electrocatalysis.
HEMCAT achieved progress beyond the state of the art by revealing the remarkable activity and stability of high-entropy alloy catalysts, particularly in alkaline media, for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Surpassing nearly all existing materials, the findings underscore the remarkable versatility and potential of high-entropy materials.
The potential impact of the project is substantial, not only in catalysis but also in advancing sustainable energy solutions. The shift towards iridium-free electrocatalysts aligns with broader goals of reducing costs, enhancing scalability, and promoting the adoption of clean energy technologies. The socio-economic implications involve the potential development of new market opportunities, innovation capacity, and contributions to European policy objectives related to climate change and sustainable energy.
In conclusion, the HEMCAT project has made significant strides in reshaping the landscape of electrocatalysis, paving the way for more efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production, and contributing to the broader societal goals of a sustainable and clean energy future.
The potential impact of the project is substantial, not only in catalysis but also in advancing sustainable energy solutions. The shift towards iridium-free electrocatalysts aligns with broader goals of reducing costs, enhancing scalability, and promoting the adoption of clean energy technologies. The socio-economic implications involve the potential development of new market opportunities, innovation capacity, and contributions to European policy objectives related to climate change and sustainable energy.
In conclusion, the HEMCAT project has made significant strides in reshaping the landscape of electrocatalysis, paving the way for more efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production, and contributing to the broader societal goals of a sustainable and clean energy future.