Method of synthesis of transition metal nitrides and their use when they have two, three or four metals as catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction

Technology Status: TRL 3-4 (Experimental PoC)

Sectors of Application: chemistry, energy, functional materials, semiconductors, hydrogen production

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Introduction

This project describes an innovative methodology for the synthesis of multi-metallic transition metal nitrides (TMNs) in a single step using readily available and cheap metal salt precursors. In the nitrides market, dominated by single metal nitride formulations, this technology allows access to multimetallic nitrides with 1-4 different metals through very cheap raw materials.

The AEM hydrogen production technology still requires new catalysts to improve its competitiveness versus alternative technologies such as alkaline or PEM. This ICIQ proprietary catalyst formulation allows the reduction of hydrogen production costs through the increase of the catalyst lifetime and the reduction of the energy inputs.

Herein, transition metal salts based on earth-abundant metals such as Fe, Ni, Co, Mn, Cu, Cr, Ti and Zn can be mixed in specific desired ratios. These precursor powders can be converted from the salt to the nitride at standard temperatures and very low reaction times (3-24 h). The resulting TMNs products can be formulated as inks and sprayed into polymeric materials leading to the formation of new innovative electrocatalytic membranes which can be used for the industrial production of hydrogen through the Anion Exchange Membranes (AEM) technology. Furthermore, this methodology allows complete control of the nitride composition, allowing the access to a wide range of multi-metallic products that may be incorporated into markets dominated by monometallic nitrides, improving their properties and discovering new innovative applications.

The patent application also describes a specific TMNs catalyst formulation with outstanding properties compared to the state of the art catalyst used in AEM hydrogen production technologies.

Advantages and unique selling points

• Multimetallic nitrides are key materials with outstanding properties for semiconductors, materials and hydrogen production.
• Complete control over nitride composition up to four metals.
• Cost reduction since it requires readily available materials.
• Increase of the catalyst lifetime.
• Reduction of the energy production inputs.

Target market

Semiconductors, hydrogen production, nitrides manufacturers.

Type of partnership sought

Partnership with an industrial partner to validate the catalyst and license the manufacturing process to key metal nitride industrial manufacturers.

IP Situation

Patent application.

-Applicants: Fundació Institut Català d’Investigació Química (ICIQ) – Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA).

-Inventors: José Ramón Galán-Mascarós, Scott Jerald Folkman, Ilario Gelmetti, Stefano Giancola, Felipe Andrés Garcés-Pineda.

-Priority date:  25 Oct 2023.

Collaborators

Fundació Institut Català d’Investigació Química (ICIQ) and Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA).