On December 19, 2024, a team from the National Research Council of Italy announced the development of a new low-cost, high-efficiency catalyst named 'NiGraf' for the electrolytic production of hydrogen from water. This research, published in Cell Reports Physical Science, involves collaboration among researchers from the Institute of Crystallography in Bari, the Institute of Organometallic Compounds in Florence, and the Institute for the Study of Nanostructured Materials in Palermo.
The innovative device encapsulates a graphene oxide structure within the crystalline lattice of nickel-based nanoparticles. This design enhances the interaction between the graphene and nickel crystal lattice, improving the catalyst's efficiency and stability. Rocco Caliandro, the lead author of the study, highlighted the cooperative effect resulting from the unique structural integration.
Additionally, the research team developed a new method to study the catalyst under operational conditions using the high-intensity X-ray beam from the Brookhaven National Laboratory in the United States. This advancement allows for an atomic-level understanding of the processes occurring within an electrolytic cell, which is crucial for the development of new electrocatalysts for hydrogen production.
Globally, approximately 60 million tons of hydrogen are produced annually, with 600,000 tons derived from electrolytic water splitting using nickel-based electrodes. When the electricity for this process comes from renewable sources, the resulting hydrogen is classified as 'green hydrogen,' which can be converted back into water in fuel cells to release stored energy. Low-cost electrolysis is considered a key technology in the energy transition, requiring the development of more efficient and durable catalytic materials.
The research was funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) as part of hydrogen research initiatives. The authors concluded that this achievement underscores the importance of large national projects in providing the necessary critical mass for significant scientific progress in Italy.