Mathematical model for predicting the lifetime of catalysts

September 30, 2024

Towards Predicting the Stability of Electrocatalysts

Water electrolysis is gaining attention as an environmentally friendly hydrogen production technology. For widespread adoption, electrocatalysts that can function over extended periods are essential. However, predicting the lifetime of these materials is challenging, requiring long-term durability tests for developing new materials. A joint research team which was led by the RIKEN CSRS has developed a mathematical model to predict the catalyst lifetime based on the dissolution rate of the catalyst. The model successfully explains trends observed in experimental data.

While it takes months to measure catalyst lifetime, the dissolution rate can be determined within a few days, so if catalyst lifetime can be predicted from this rate, it could significantly accelerate the development of durable materials. Through previous research, the team has identified that electrocatalysts used in water electrolysis gradually dissolve during the reaction, leading to degradation. They have now developed a mathematical model to predict catalyst lifetime based on the dissolution rate.

This research is expected to lay the groundwork for technologies to predict catalyst lifetime, promoting the development of electrocatalysts required for hydrogen production and fuel cells through electrolysis.

Original article

The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c02162

H. Ooka, M. E. Wintzer, H. Komatsu, T. Suda, K. Adachi, A. Li, S. Kong, D. Hashizume, A. Mochizuki, R. Nakamura,

"Microkinetic Model to Rationalize the Lifetime of Electrocatalysis: Trade-off Between Activity and Stability".

Contact

Hideshi Ooka; Research Scientist
Ryuhei Nakamura; Team Leader
Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team