Researchers Develop Non-Precious Metal Catalyst for Hydrogen Production

A research team led by Dr. Sung Mook Choi from the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) has made significant strides in hydrogen production technology. Collaborating with Professor Seung-Hwa Lee from Changwon National University, the team has developed a novel non-precious metal catalyst designed for oxygen evolution reactions (OER). This breakthrough has the potential to reduce reliance on costly precious metals while enhancing efficiency and durability in hydrogen production.

The catalyst is specifically engineered for use in anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE), a process that operates under alkaline conditions. This environment allows for the application of lower-cost non-precious metal catalysts instead of expensive materials typically used in hydrogen production. Despite the advantages of AEMWE, previous attempts to use non-precious metal catalysts faced challenges in achieving the long-term stability necessary for practical applications. Traditional transition metal-based catalysts often suffered from structural degradation and decreased catalytic activity over time.

To overcome these hurdles, the research team focused on developing a cobalt (Co) and iron (Fe)-based oxyhydroxide catalyst with a layered structure, known as CoFeOOH. This innovative design not only enhances the electronic properties of the catalyst but also optimizes the reaction pathways critical to the OER process. By introducing iron into the catalyst structure, the team effectively modulated the electronic state of cobalt, lowering the energy barriers for reaction intermediates essential for oxygen evolution.

The result is a catalyst that maintains high current densities even at low overpotentials and demonstrates stable performance over extended operating periods. To further enhance the durability of the catalyst, the team implemented a controlled chemical oxidation technique to protect against corrosion and structural degradation during the doping process. This approach successfully established a robust catalyst surface that is particularly effective under alkaline conditions.

The new catalyst has undergone practical evaluations in a unit cell of AEMWE, demonstrating both performance and durability beyond laboratory settings. This marks a significant step forward in the commercial viability of non-precious metal OER catalysts for AEMWE systems. If successfully commercialized, this technology could lead to the production of cost-effective, high-efficiency hydrogen systems with reduced dependence on precious metals.

Dr. Choi, the principal researcher of the study, expressed optimism about the implications of their work. “This research represents a case in which the limitations of non-precious metal–based catalysts were overcome through structural design,” he noted. He emphasized the ongoing commitment to advancing green hydrogen production technologies based on AEMWE, contributing to the vision of a hydrogen-based society.

The research, which received support from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) under the Hydrogen Research Laboratory program, was published online on December 1, 2025, in the prestigious journal ACS Nano, which has an impact factor of 16.1.

As the world increasingly turns toward sustainable energy sources, advancements like these in hydrogen production technology could play a crucial role in facilitating clean energy transitions and enhancing technological self-reliance in key materials for water electrolysis catalysts. The ongoing efforts in this field may soon yield significant benefits, paving the way for a more sustainable energy future.