이현주 연구실

We aim to control the surface structure of heterogeneous atomic catalysts and elucidate the structure-performance relation. Fuel cell is environmentally friendly engine to convert chemicals to electricity. Chemicals such as H2, CH4, NH3 can produce electricity using a proper form of fuel cells. Platinum is one of the most widely used catalysts for fuel cell for hydrogen oxidation or oxygen reduction reactions, and we are trying to minimize Pt use by developing highly active catalysts. Various nano-structures of Pt-based catalysts have been developed in our lab, such as shape/composition-controlled Pt-based nanoparticles, carbon-encapsulated Pt clusters, and Pt single-atom catalysts. The actual fuel cells should operate under various transient conditions such as H2 starvation or oxygen cross-over across the polymer membrane, so highly durable catalysts such as reversal-tolerant anode and selective anode have been developed. Water electrolyzer is the key technology of ‘green hydrogen’, which produces H2 from water using electricity. Supposing that we have enough electricity from solar cells or wind power, its long-term storage or transportation over long distance can’t be achieved by battery. Particularly, because Korea does not have enough sustainable natural resources such as sunlight or wind, the technology related to carbon-neutral energy production/storage/transportation is crucial. Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) and anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) are the most widely tested recently. We are developing the catalysts for PEMWE and AEMWE; the catalysts shouldn’t be tested in half-cell setup only, but be tested in membrane-assembly-electrode (MEA) level. We are minimizing Ir use for PEMWE and developing Ni-based catalyst for AEMWE