Domestic researchers have succeeded in developing a key component for next-generation water electrolysis that improves green hydrogen production efficiency. This achievement is evaluated as one that will contribute to hydrogen technology independence, as it overcomes the structural limitations of existing components through a powder sintering method and secures the large-area manufacturing technology required for commercialization.

The Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI) New and Renewable Energy Research Center announced on the 15th that it has developed a nickel (Ni)-based porous transport layer and succeeded in manufacturing it over a large area of more than 1,500 cm².

This research was conducted with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea's Green Hydrogen Technology Self-Reliance Project, and achieved large-area fabrication through a joint study with LT Metal, a domestic manufacturer of porous diffusers.

In conventional alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) and anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis, nickel foam with a sponge structure having pores of 400–500 μm was mainly used.

This falls far short of the theoretical optimal pore size of 10 to 20 μm for water electrolysis.

The research team fabricated a porous diffuser with a pore size reduced to 10–20 μm by applying a nickel powder sintering method.

The research team explained that the narrowed pores form a structure that strengthens capillary action, rapidly supplying water to the space vacated by bubbles and smoothly releasing generated hydrogen and oxygen gases.

In performance tests using a zero-gap structured water electrolysis cell, it was confirmed that the water electrolysis performance was approximately 24% and 59% higher, respectively, compared to existing nickel foam with porosity of 95% and 98%.

Lim Hyun-soo, Head of the New and Renewable Energy Research Center at KETI, who led this research, stated, “We conducted the research with commercialization in mind as well as performance from the early stages of technology development, and have achieved a level where commercialization is possible.” He added, “We plan to secure cost reduction technology and product reliability so that product development can be carried out immediately once the market opens.”