Dr. Kim, Min-joong co-worked with Dr. Cho, Hyun-seok and Dr. Kim, Byung-hyun of Hydrogen Research Department at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (Yi, Chang-keun, President of KIER) developed a reliable and durable electrode for water electrolysis. This electrode effectively produces green hydrogen with robust stability, effectively responding to the volatile characteristics of renewable power generation. To put it simply these researchers proposed an innovative structural design for the layered electrode for water electrolysis while using computational calculation and developed a fabrication technology for large-scale electrodes.

Electrolysis of water to produce green hydrogen with zero carbon emissions is one of the 12 national strategic technologies and a pioneering technology to realize a carbon- neutral future. Forecasts indicate a substantial rise in national demand for green hydrogen - up to 27.9 million tons by 2050. Developing water electrolysis systems connected to renewable energy sources like solar panels or wind powers is needed to satisfy the demand.

In a previous study conducted in 2019, researchers discovered that the dynamic operation durability of the Ni-Fe layered double hydroxide electrodes used in alkaline water electrolyzers was poor. This was attributed to the degradation of the layered structure in a volatile operational environment that simulated the intermittent nature of renewable power, with on-off cycles.

They used computational science to compare the exfoliation energies of different iron contents and different anions (CO32-, SO42-, Cl-, and NO32-) that constitute the layered structure. They are confident that the stability of the layered structure will be crucial for ensuring the durability of Ni-Fe layered double hydroxide electrodes. The exfoliation energy is highest in iron contents over 40%, regardless of the types of anions. This high iron content contributes to the stability of the layered structure.

Taking advantage of corrosion reactions, the researchers fabricated Ni-Fe layered double hydroxide electrodes with 40% over iron content. The electrodes demonstrated reliability and durability in a simulated environment that alternated between "on" and "off" for 12 hours. Additionally, it demonstrated improved efficiency in the electrochemical oxygen generation reaction within an actual water electrolysis cell operationg environment.

Dr. Kim, Min-joong highlights that the accomplishments of the previous research have led to a significant expansion in the current research. An innovative design of electrode material, developed using computational calculation, along with advanced electrode fabrication technology, greatly enhances the durability of electrodes used in electrolysis for the production of green hydrogen. He requests ongoing support in this research field.

This achievement has been published in Advanced Energy Materials (Implact Factor 29.698) on the inside front cover.