Researchers from the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have highlighted a catalyst which can generate hydrogen in a commercial device at a lower price.

The catalyst can split water and generate hydrogen for hours in the harsh environment of a commercial device.  The electrolyser technology is based on a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and has potential for large-scale hydrogen production powered by renewable energy.

The technology has previously been held back due to the high cost of metal catalysts required to boost the chemical reactions.