Palladium use in ‘green’ hydrogen generation

Hydrogen is emerging as a promising alternative fuel for the transportation and energy sectors, thanks to its clean-burning property and high energy density. “Green” hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources, is particularly attractive. It has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

One key technology for producing green hydrogen is electrolysis. This process uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Palladium plays a crucial role in this process. It is used in the construction of electrolysis cells and as a catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

“Palladium is a metal with high catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode. It provides a high yield of hydrogen,” researcher Irina Goryunova explains.

With palladium, the catalyst’s activity increases while the resource remains unchanged. This improvement makes the technology more efficient and accessible, she added.

“We received prototypes of the catalyst made from particles of the palladium-iridium alloy. These passed laboratory tests and were sent for testing in semi-industrial conditions,” she added.

How It Works

In the electrolysis process, a proton exchange membrane (PEM) or an alkaline electrolyzer conducts the water’s electrolysis. The construction of these electrolysis cells requires materials resistant to corrosion and with good electrical conductivity.

Palladium, known for its excellent corrosion resistance and high electrical conductivity, is an ideal material for these cells. Its ability to withstand harsh operating conditions and maintain long-term stability under high electrical currents makes it an essential component in creating efficient and durable electrolysis cells.

Palladium also plays a critical role as a catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction. During electrolysis, the HER occurs at the cathode, where protons are reduced to form hydrogen gas. Palladium-based catalysts are extensively studied for their high catalytic activity and selectivity towards the HER. These catalysts show excellent performance, achieving high hydrogen evolution rates and low overpotentials. These qualities are essential for the efficient and cost-effective production of green hydrogen.

Possible Challenges and Benefits

Using palladium in green hydrogen generation presents challenges. As a precious metal with limited availability, palladium poses cost and supply chain challenges for large-scale electrolysis technology implementation. Ongoing research aims to develop alternative catalyst materials to replace or reduce the palladium required for the HER. Efforts are also underway to improve palladium recycling and reuse, reducing its environmental impact and ensuring a sustainable supply chain for green hydrogen production.

Despite these challenges, palladium use in green hydrogen generation offers significant benefits. The high catalytic activity and stability of palladium-based catalysts enhance the efficiency and reliability of electrolysis technology. This makes it a key enabler for the widespread adoption of green hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy carrier. As research and development continue to advance palladium’s understanding and application in green hydrogen generation, the potential for cost reductions and increased availability of palladium-based technologies could further enhance green hydrogen’s competitiveness in the global energy landscape.

The sustainable benefits of palladium in hydrogen generation are clear. Despite availability and cost challenges, palladium’s unique properties make it an essential component in developing efficient and sustainable electrolysis technology for green hydrogen production. As materials science and engineering continue to drive innovation, palladium’s role in hydrogen production promises a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.