A collaborative research team from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and Seoul National University has successfully developed a novel catalyst activation technology for water splitting, enabling highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at a low temperature of 300°C—far below the 800°C required by traditional processes. The technology simultaneously improves the oxygen evolution efficiency of the catalyst by nearly six times, paving the way for cost-effective hydrogen production.

The research was led by Professor Yong-Tae Kim and Dr. Sang-Mun Jung from POSTECH, along with Professor Junwoo Son and Dr. Youngkwang Kim from Seoul National University. The results were published in Advanced Functional Materials. Hydrogen energy, as a key method for storing renewable energy, is produced through water electrolysis, but the high-temperature preparation requirements of traditional OER catalysts limit their economic viability.

The team used perovskite materials as the catalyst base and optimized its activity through an "exsolution" method. Typically, metal ion migration requires temperatures above 800°C, but the researchers introduced bead milling technology, using micro-beads to grind the material, refining perovskite particles and loosening the internal structure. This enabled efficient exsolution at just 300°C. Professor Kim stated: "This study provides a new direction for developing high-performance, low-cost catalysts, with nanoscale structural control being key to improving efficiency."

Experiments showed that the optimized catalyst improved oxygen evolution efficiency by nearly six times compared to the original perovskite, while significantly reducing energy consumption. The technology holds promise for promoting large-scale application of renewable hydrogen production and driving the development of clean energy industries.