Researchers at Seoul National University and collaborating institutions have uncovered that silver nanocatalysts can shift their reaction sites between electricity generation and hydrogen production modes. This discovery reveals how these catalysts operate differently based on the function of solid oxide cells, offering new design strategies for clean energy systems. The study, published in Energy & Environmental Science, demonstrates that silver nanoparticles enhance oxygen reactions by altering their interaction with electrode surfaces during electricity generation versus hydrogen production. By creating a precisely controlled model electrode, scientists observed that the catalyst's active sites change depending on whether the cell is operating as a fuel cell or electrolyzer. This adaptability could improve efficiency in green hydrogen production and distributed energy systems. The findings challenge traditional views of nanocatalysts as static additives, suggesting instead that their performance can be optimized by engineering both surface and interface properties. Potential applications include advanced energy storage solutions and reversible solid oxide cells capable of bidirectional energy conversion.

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have introduced a new catalyst for hydrogen production from water — without using expensive platinum. Instead, the team developed a composite based o...

California-based Captura, which specializes in direct ocean capture (DOC) technology, has been selected to supply the carbon dioxide (CO2) feedstock for a new facility at the Port of Port-La-Nouvelle…

Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have created a novel stainless steel, named SS-H2, capable of withstanding the extreme conditions required for green hydrogen production from seawater. Led by Professor Mingxin Huang, the team discovered that SS-H2 uses a 'sequential dual-passivation' mechanism: a traditional chromium oxide layer is reinforced by a manganese-based layer, providing unprecedented corrosion resistance up to 1700 mV. This breakthrough allows SS-H2 to perform similarly to titanium-based materials currently used in electrolyzers but at a fraction of the cost. The innovation could dramatically reduce structural material costs in large-scale hydrogen systems, making green hydrogen more economically viable. While the material is not yet fully commercialized, tons of SS-H2 wire have been produced, and patents have been filed internationally. The research addresses a persistent challenge in seawater electrolysis—corrosion, chlorine side reactions, and electrode degradation—while offering a practical path toward durable, cost-effective renewable hydrogen infrastructure. This work builds on HKU's 'Super Steel' project, which previously developed ultra-strong, anti-COVID-19, and high-performance stainless steels, and represents a significant step toward sustainable energy solutions.

"Switching to low-carbon fertiliser is one of the strongest levers we have to reduce agricultural emissions."

Romanian oil and gas producer OMV Petrom has received the first electrolyser module for a 20MW green hydrogen-based e-fuel production unit at its Petrobrazi refinery.

A pioneering Green Climate Fund-financed project to establish one of the world's first commercial-scale green hydrogen-based fertilizer plants has taken a big step towards implementation. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) and its partner, the International F...