Constant innovation
Research for the future
De Nora is looking at the future of green hydrogen and circular economy very closely by being at the frontline of developing continuous and innovative technological solutions to tackle climate changes. Our research centers in different locations in the world, including state-of-the-art electrochemistry laboratories in Italy, Japan, and the United States, are committed to shaping a green and sustainable future to fulfill the net-zero agenda negotiated during the Paris Agreement and COP 28 in Dubai.
The water electrolysis for new arenas
In the arena of water electrolysis, different technologies have been investigated for alkaline, polymer exchange membrane, anionic exchange membrane water electrolysis.
Research in this sense is focused predominantly on developing novel anodes and cathodes to convert water into hydrogen with optimal performances. Scientists are working towards developing new and improved materials to implement as electrodes, for example GDEs, looking closely at their properties to guarantee high energy efficiency and current densities.
Sustainable materials
Other lines of research concern the construction of bespoken electrocatalysts to lower the electrochemical potential at which the reaction of water electrolysis takes place. Special attention is given to the sustainable outlook of this material. Specifically, the aim is to move away from platinum group metals such as palladium and iridium and towards formulations and electrocatalyst architectures made of abundant and cheap metal oxides such as iron, cobalt, and copper.
Circularity: an immense potential
In the realm of circular economy and keeping feedstock in a closed-loop system, electroreduction of carbon dioxide hold an immense potential. Research scientists at De Nora are working towards developing prototype electrochemical cells, GDEs and electrodes for bespoken electrochemical processes to convert carbon dioxide in a unique product rather than a variety. As for water electrolysis, the nature and structure of the electrocatalysts also plays a pivotal role in this electrochemical process and research is ongoing to find the optimal electrocatalyst construction to achieve selectivity, efficiency, and high current densities.
From the R&D to the Market
Scalability and translating either water electrolysis and carbon dioxide electro-reduction from lab-scale demonstrations into pilot plant applications is also important and, here at De Nora, we have dedicated engineering departments to achieve this goal.
Our cutting-edge facilities and laboratories in Milan are leading innovation and addressing scalability issues so that to bring these technological solutions into commercial devices and ultimately execute the energy transition.