A research team from Sungkyunkwan University and Kyungpook National University has developed a non-precious metal catalyst for water electrolysis.

The researchers utilized a top-down design strategy to create cobalt oxide nanoclusters smaller than 2 nanometers. This development addresses the oxygen evolution reaction, which typically requires expensive materials like iridium or ruthenium.

“When applied to actual systems, it proved its robust durability by operating for over 100 hours under high-current conditions without degradation, and also demonstrated excellent charging stability in next-generation zinc-air batteries,” said the researchers in a press release.

By precisely adjusting the atomic bond length between cobalt and oxygen to 2.03 angstroms, the team enabled lattice oxygen hidden within the material to participate in the chemical reaction, thereby bypassing the traditional limitations of standard water-splitting processes.

The ability to manipulate these atomic structures allowed the researchers to bypass the reliance on precious metals.

Advanced structural analysis and mechanism

“During this process, they finely adjusted the atomic bond length between the cobalt metal and oxygen atoms, contracting it by approximately 0.1 angstroms (Å, one ten-billionth of a meter),” added the press release.

This structural modification was confirmed using advanced analysis techniques at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory. The implementation of this method suggests a shift in how researchers approach the development of efficient materials for hydrogen production.

In addition to water splitting, the research team tested the material in zinc-air batteries, where it demonstrated consistent charging stability.

Water electrolysis is a method used to produce hydrogen without carbon emissions, but the oxygen evolution reaction often presents a performance bottleneck. Historically, industrial systems have depended on costly metals to improve reaction rates.

The method developed by the SKKU and Kyungpook National University team attempts to address these costs by modifying the internal structure of cobalt oxide.

Applicable beyond water splitting

“The core of this technology lies in strengthening the metal-oxygen interactions, forcing the “lattice oxygen”—which typically remains inert within the catalyst’s internal structure—to actively engage in the reaction,” explained the team.

“The newly developed nanocatalyst demonstrated outstanding performance, operating at a lower energy level than expensive commercial Ir catalysts.”

Professor Hyung Mo Jeong stated that the core achievement of this project is the ability to control the catalytic reaction pathway through the precise manipulation of bond distances at the atomic scale. The findings indicate that this approach is applicable beyond basic water splitting and could be integrated into various energy storage and conversion devices.

“Beyond replacing cost-prohibitive precious metals for high-efficiency green hydrogen production, this technology will serve as a crucial benchmark for accelerating the commercialization of various next-generation eco-friendly energy devices,” concluded Jeong.

The transition to carbon neutrality requires scalable and affordable infrastructure for energy generation. Current dependence on rare earth elements or precious metals often hinders the widespread adoption of electrolysis systems.

The successful testing of the catalyst under sustained high-current conditions suggests that the material is capable of meeting the operational requirements of commercial systems.