Technion Researchers Develop Novel Method for Green Hydrogen and Epoxide Production

Researchers at the Technion have developed a new method for producing green hydrogen that simultaneously yields a valuable industrial chemical, epoxide. The study, published in Nature Communications, demonstrated a 98% efficiency in both processes without the need for a membrane to separate electrodes. The research was led by Professor Avner Rothschild and Dr. Gwilliam Rowan, and a patent application for the technology has been filed in the United States.

Green hydrogen is considered a crucial future energy source, produced by splitting water using electricity from renewable sources. It is expected to play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in hard-to-decarbonize industries such as steel and fertilizer production, oil refining, and fuel alternatives for transportation. The researchers also noted that green hydrogen could support long-term storage of solar and wind energy. However, its industrial application is currently limited by its relatively high cost compared to hydrogen produced from natural gas or coal, processes responsible for about 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions.

Professor Rothschild explained that the team re-examined water splitting to replace the oxygen byproduct with valuable epoxide, a key building block for polymers, coatings, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and more. The experiments showed 98% efficiency in both hydrogen and epoxide generation, meaning almost all electrical charge drove the desired electrochemical processes. The achieved current density is suitable for large-scale industrial electrolysis.

The new process builds upon previous technologies developed by Professor Rothschild and his colleagues, which focused on separating the electrochemical reactions that produce hydrogen from those that produce oxygen. This separation is the basis for membrane-free electrolysis, a significant advancement in hydrogen production. One earlier derivative of this technology is successfully implemented by the company H2Pro, and the new derivative was developed through research supported by the European Research Council (ERC).

Dr. Rowan stated that the achievement represents a conceptual shift, with all components, electrodes, mediator, solvent, and configuration, working together. By optimizing the entire system, they achieved efficient production of hydrogen and epoxide without a membrane separating the electrodes. The research was funded by the ERC under the H2Bro project and Professor Rothschild's 2023 ERC Advanced grant, and is also linked to the inter-university Waste to Value research hub.