Chicago-based clean chemistry company Mattiq has announced a partnership with Heraeus Precious Metals to develop new catalyst materials for green hydrogen production. The collaboration aims to reduce the use of iridium, a rare and expensive metal, in the manufacturing of proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzers, which are used to produce hydrogen fuel, reports Mining.com.
Iridium is essential for PEM electrolysis, a key technology for generating hydrogen without carbon emissions. However, the metal’s high cost and limited availability pose challenges for large-scale hydrogen production. In 2021, iridium prices surged by 160% within two months due to supply shortages and growing demand for hydrogen fuel. As a by-product of platinum and palladium mining, iridium is used in various industries and plays a crucial role in splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis.
Mattiq, which was launched in 2023, was selected for a U.S. Department of Energy program focused on improving energy efficiency and storage technology. The company has warned that without reducing the amount of iridium needed in PEM electrolyzers, large-scale production of hydrogen will be difficult.
As part of their partnership, Mattiq and Heraeus aim to speed up the process of developing low-iridium catalysts, moving them from prototype to large-scale production faster than usual. They believe that by combining Mattiq’s expertise in electrochemical systems with Heraeus’ experience in materials and catalyst manufacturing, they can develop cost-effective solutions that improve hydrogen production.
“Our partnership will help us create high-performance, low-iridium catalysts that make electrolyzer manufacturing more affordable and ensure hydrogen plays a key role in reducing industrial carbon emissions,” Mattiq CEO Jeff Erhardt said in a statement.
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