The production of green hydrogen by water splitting is limited by the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which relies heavily on iridium-based catalysts in polymer electrolyte membrane technologies—a significant bottleneck due to iridium's scarcity and high cost. This project aims to address this challenge by developing plasmonic-catalytic materials that integrate earth-abundant components, targeting a >90% reduction in iridium usage while enhancing OER efficiency. By harnessing localized surface plasmon resonance effects and solar-driven catalysis, our approach combines innovative catalyst development, scalable synthesis methods, and industry-relevant performance validation, paving the way for cost-effective and sustainable green hydrogen production.

2024