Objective
Affordable green hydrogen requires durable electrolyzer materials that avoid scarce precious metals such as iridium.
HEA-H2 addresses this challenge by establishing a multilayer anode technology based on high-entropy oxide (HEO) materials, recently disclosed in a patent application. The invention integrates these new catalyst materials into engineered multilayer electrode architectures that substantially improve the oxygen evolution reaction, the main efficiency bottleneck in water electrolysis. Preliminary studies on model systems demonstrate order-of-magnitude enhanced catalytic activity at the same applied potential, but the concept has not yet been translated to practical electrodes nor validated under realistic electrolyzer conditions.
This ERC PoC project will develop scalable synthesis routes for multilayer HEO electrodes on porous metal substrates guided by industrial needs and validate their performance in alkaline membrane electrolyzer cells. The goal is to achieve cell voltages below 1.7 V at 1 A cm⁻² with degradation rates below 1 µV h⁻¹, corresponding to roughly 20% lower electricity consumption and orders-of-magnitude improved durability compared with current state-of-the-art NiFe or IrO2 anodes.
By demonstrating high activity, durability, and manufacturability, HEA-H2 will de-risk the technology and prepare commercialization pathways with industrial partners. These improvements could translate into ~15% lower hydrogen production costs, enabling more competitive green hydrogen for end users in sectors such as steel production, fertilizer synthesis, chemical manufacturing, and heavy-duty transport. Successful validation would therefore support the large-scale deployment of affordable green hydrogen and accelerate the transition toward climate-neutral energy, fuels, agricultural feedstocks, and industrial production.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2026-POC
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
7522 NB Enschede
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.