Research at UnB advances in hydrogen production with new catalytic materials
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Scientific advances developed at the University of Brasília (UnB) indicate a promising path to making hydrogen production more efficient and economically viable. A project conducted at the university's Physics Institute, with funding from the Research Support Foundation of the Federal District, investigates the use of thin films based on two-dimensional materials as catalysts for water electrolysis—a process that separates hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable sources. The initiative received an investment of approximately R$ 179,000 through the foundation's Spontaneous Demand grant, aimed at strengthening scientific and technological research in its early stages of maturity.
Nanotechnology and new catalysts can reduce the costs of low-carbon hydrogen.
Coordinated by physicist Jorlandio F. Felix, the project seeks alternatives to traditional catalysts based on platinum, a rare and expensive metal. The team works with ultrathin films produced from two-dimensional materials such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and tungsten disulfide (WS₂), whose electronic and chemical properties favor hydrogen evolution reactions. One of the highlights of the study is the Automated Mechanical Exfoliation (AME) technique, an automated system that deposits microscopic layers of these materials with precise control, ensuring reproducibility—one of the greatest challenges in applied nanotechnology.
In addition to expanding scientific knowledge, the project contributes to training specialized human resources and strengthening research infrastructure, positioning the Federal District as an emerging hub in nanotechnology and hydrogen. If the applications advance to higher technological stages, the results could pave the way for more efficient energy devices and the creation of a new industrial segment linked to the hydrogen economy in Brazil.
The mechanism was patented under number BR1020240157060, consolidating the technological advancement developed in the Federal District.
