Current status of research on catalysts related to hydrogen energy

Abstract

Current status of research on catalysts related to supply chain of hydrogen such as hydrogen production, hydrogen carrier, and fuel cell electrocatalyst is introduced. Both the water-splitting to hydrogen and CO₂ reduction by photocatalysts have attracted much attention as one of the uses of renewable energy. Platinum is well known as active electrocatalysts for ORR (oxygen reduction reaction), however, the reduction and/or replacement of platinum to base metals is strongly desired. Recently, new types of Ru-based catalysts for ammonia synthesis and decomposition have been developed. The reaction conditions of Ru-based catalysts is much milder than that used for conventional Fe-K catalysts. Catalytic reactions are expected to play an important role in fabrication and utilization of several kinds of energy carriers such as methane, methanol, ammonia, and organic chemical hydrides.