Hanyang University Unveils Revolutionary Catalyst for Affordable Green Hydrogen

Researchers at Hanyang University’s ERICA campus in South Korea have pioneered a novel catalyst aimed at significantly lowering the cost of green hydrogen production, a breakthrough that could have substantial implications for renewable energy. The study, led by Professor Seunghyun Lee and published in the journal *Small* on March 19, 2025, introduces a tunable boron-doped cobalt phosphide (CoP) catalyst designed for electrochemical water-splitting, an essential process for hydrogen generation.

Hydrogen is increasingly viewed as a clean energy source capable of aiding in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the high costs associated with current catalysts, particularly those relying on rare earth metals, have limited the feasibility of large-scale hydrogen production. Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) have gained attention due to their potential as effective catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), but they struggle with the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which impacts overall efficiency.

The innovative catalyst developed by the Hanyang team utilizes metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to create cobalt phosphide nanosheets with enhanced performance characteristics and cost efficiency. Professor Lee states, "We have successfully developed cobalt phosphides-based nanomaterials by adjusting boron doping and phosphorus content using metal-organic frameworks. These materials have better performance and lower cost than conventional electrocatalysts, making them suitable for large-scale hydrogen production."

The research team employed a method where cobalt-based MOFs were initially grown on nickel foam, followed by treatment with sodium borohydride to incorporate boron. This process was further refined with a phosphorization step using sodium hypophosphite, resulting in three distinct samples of boron-doped cobalt phosphide nanosheets (B-CoP@NC/NF). Tests indicated that these samples possessed a significant surface area and a mesoporous structure, both critical for effective electrocatalysis. The alkaline electrolyzer constructed using B-CoP0.5@NC/NF electrodes demonstrated a cell potential of just 1.59 V at a current density of 10 mA cm-2, surpassing many existing models, including state-of-the-art alternatives like RuO₂/NF(+) and 20% Pt-C/NF(−). The catalyst also exhibited remarkable stability, maintaining performance for over 100 hours under operational conditions.

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations corroborated the findings, elucidating the effects of boron doping and phosphorus content adjustments on catalyst efficiency. "Our findings offer a blueprint for designing and synthesizing next-generation high-efficiency catalysts that can drastically reduce hydrogen production costs," says Professor Lee. This advancement is poised to play a vital role in promoting large-scale green hydrogen production, thereby contributing to the global effort to mitigate climate change.

The implications of this research extend beyond mere cost reduction for hydrogen production. As nations strive to meet carbon emission reduction targets, the development of efficient and affordable green hydrogen technologies is critical. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), hydrogen production from renewable sources needs to expand significantly to meet the global energy transition goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.

In conclusion, the breakthrough achieved by Hanyang University not only sets a new standard for catalyst efficiency and cost-effectiveness but also reinforces the importance of academic research in addressing global energy challenges. The potential for this technology to facilitate a transition towards sustainable energy practices makes it a pivotal development in the quest for a carbon-neutral future.