Scientists Led by NTU Singapore Identify New Catalysts for More Efficient Water Splitting – Associate Professor Jason Xu Zhichuan and Associate Professor Li Shuzhou

We are pleased to share the research achievement of Associate Professor Jason Xu Zhichuan, Associate Professor Li Shuzhou and their team, which has been featured in various media.

A team of scientists led by NTU have discovered the parameters that determine the efficiency of a class of low-cost catalysts called spinel oxides – a discovery that breaks a bottleneck in the extraction of hydrogen from water through electrolysis, the process of splitting water with electricity. Primed with that new understanding, the team then used machine learning to select new spinel oxides with increased catalytic activity, making water electrolysis more efficient. Associate Professor Jason Xu Zhichuan, who led the research, said: “While the ability to design highly efficient catalysts greatly pushes forward the technique of water electrolysis in hydrogen production, there are two other major bottlenecks we have to look at before widespread adoption of this technique is possible. Firstly, we have to improve the membrane in such alkaline electrolysers to support long-term hydrogen production. When that is done, then we can work with our engineering colleagues to see how we can put all of these upgrades into an electrolyser that can function on an industrial level."

The research team has published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal, Nature Catalysis with the title “Covalency competition dominates the water oxidation structure–activity relationship on spinel oxides”. The research article can be found via this link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-020-0465-6


Associate Professor Jason Xu Zhichuan and his team offer promise for wider adoption of water splitting to produce hydrogen fuel. PHOTO: NTU

Our heartiest congratulations to Prof Xu, Prof Li and their team on their excellent achievement!

Media Coverage:
Bioengineer(UK), 3 Aug
Scienmag(UK)
Phys.org(US), 3 Aug
The National Tribune(AU), 3 Aug
Mirage News(AU)
Science Codex(UK), 3 Aug
NTU news release
The Economic Times(IN), 4 Aug
Renew Economy(AU), 4 Aug
Technology Times(PK), 3 Aug
Recycling Portal(DK), 4 Aug