10059877Low cost electrocatalysts for hydrogen productionClosedLaunchpadInnovate UKThis project considers the production of low-cost electrocatalysts that are required for the water-splitting reaction to produce "green hydrogen" when a renewable source of electricity is used. Current state-of-the-art uses expensive rare-metals, which will limit production and could be a hurdle to the widespread production of low cost green hydrogen. Our approach is innovative because it is based on technology licenced from the University of Manchester, which advantageously has an excellent fit with our current production technology. Therefore, we are well placed to scale up the production, using a combination of First Graphene Ltd's know-how and our licenced technology. Another innovative aspect is that the technology combines the "best" properties of low-cost transition metals (eg multiple oxidation states) with the high conductivity of our graphene platelets, making this a truly synergistic approach for a rapidly growing industry that is required to meet both UK and Global Net Zero Targets. For this project, we will specifically look at the formulation of electrocatalyst coatings, so that they can be applied to electrodes for testing. We have defined performance targets that we need to hit and we will work towards benchmarking our products and then assessing how close we are to the targets. A successful outcome will incentivise First Graphene Ltd to install processing facilities in the Tees Valley Net Zero Cluster. The infrastructure that is available or being developed strongly lends itself to our process. Therefore, in all aspects, this is a strong project, with good alignment with UK policy, a potential for scale up and the capability for the company to seek an entry point into a high value market using exclusive technology and based on very sound scientific principles