LG Chem (051910.KS) has developed a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolysis electrode technology that enables stable, long-term hydrogen production using only a small amount of iridium, raising the prospects for commercializing next-generation green hydrogen production materials.
LG Chem said on the 26th that a research team at its Basic Technology Research Institute, under the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), has developed an interface stabilization technology that dramatically improves the performance and durability of PEM water electrolysis electrodes.
The research, which involved a team led by Ko Jae-hyun, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), was published on the 21st in Nature Communications, one of the world's top-tier academic journals.
Green hydrogen is a key energy source for realizing a decarbonized society, produced by splitting water using electricity generated from renewable energy. PEM water electrolysis is regarded as a next-generation green hydrogen production technology, based on its high hydrogen productivity and superior output responsiveness.
However, PEM water electrolysis devices use expensive rare-metal iridium catalysts, making economic viability a major challenge. In particular, when less iridium is used in the electrode, performance deteriorates during long-term operation. Shorter equipment replacement cycles and rising operating costs have been the biggest obstacles to expanding the commercialization of PEM water electrolysis technology.
LG Chem solved these problems with a catalyst interface stabilization technology that applies an atomic-level coating layer to the surface of the iridium catalyst. As a result, it succeeded in extending stable hydrogen production time by more than twofold compared with before, while reducing iridium usage by more than half from previous levels.
In addition, LG Chem completed the manufacturing and performance verification of large electrodes based on its own electrode fabrication technology, confirming the potential for mass production and commercialization.
"This research achievement is a case in which LG Chem's materials technology competitiveness has been recognized worldwide," said Shim Kyu-seok, Executive Vice President and CTO of LG Chem. "We will continue to expand various research and development efforts to secure competitiveness in next-generation hydrogen production technology."
