TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Platinum-Free Hydrogen Catalyst

The Platinum-Free Hydrogen Catalyst technology from Los Alamos National Laboratory enables high-performance hydrogen production using entirely earth-abundant, U.S.-accessible materials instead of scarce and expensive precious metals like platinum. By delivering performance comparable to platinum-based systems and improved durability in an anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzer, it offers a pathway to lower-cost, domestically scalable hydrogen generation for industrial manufacturing, energy storage, refining, ammonia production and other strategic sectors. Eliminating reliance on precious metals strengthens supply chain security, reduces exposure to foreign-controlled critical materials and supports U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. The result is a cost-effective, durable and commercially viable hydrogen production platform aligned with national priorities in energy independence, industrial resilience, and advanced materials innovation.

The Challenge:

Hydrogen production via water electrolysis through anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzer is gaining industrial momentum, but current high-performance systems depend heavily on precious metal catalysts such as platinum and platinum–ruthenium at the cathode. These materials are expensive, globally supply-constrained and subject to geopolitical and pricing volatility, creating cost and scaling barriers for electrolyzer manufacturers. At the same time, efforts to replace precious metals with earth-abundant alternatives have historically resulted in lower activity, reduced durability—preventing non-precious metal systems from matching platinum-level performance at industrially relevant current densities. The market needs a hydrogen evolution catalyst that eliminates precious metals without sacrificing efficiency, durability or manufacturability.

Problems Solved:

Platinum-Free Hydrogen Catalyst eliminates the need for precious metal cathode catalysts while delivering performance comparable to platinum–ruthenium systems in anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzers. By engineering a porous transport layer–supported nickel–molybdenum–phosphide (NiMoPx) catalyst with precise control over composition and loading, it closes the long-standing activity gap between earth-abundant and precious metal HER catalysts. The result is industrially relevant current density (3 A/cm² at 1.84 V), improved durability (2.5× longer in 100-hour testing) and consistent catalyst deposition compatible with scalable electrode fabrication. For electrolyzer manufacturers, this translates to reduced material costs, lower exposure to critical mineral supply risk and a viable pathway to high-performance, precious metal–free hydrogen production.

Key Advantages:

• Precious-metal-free performance – Matches platinum–ruthenium cathode performance in AEM electrolyzers (3 A/cm² at 1.84 V)
• Enhanced durability – Demonstrates 2.5× longer life in 100-hour testing versus PtRu catalysts
• Lower cost – Replaces platinum with earth-abundant nickel and molybdenum.
• Supply chain advantage – Minimizes reliance on scarce, globally concentrated precious metals.
• OEM-compatible and scalable – PTL-supported architecture with controlled catalyst loading suitable for industrial AEMWE platforms.

Market Applications:

• Hydrogen Production & Industrial Gas Supply
• Energy & Power Generation
• Oil, Gas & Refining
• Chemical & Fertilizer Manufacturing
• Metals & Industrial Processing
• Transportation & Infrastructure

Development Status: TRL 3

US patent pending

LA-UR-26-23078

LANL Tech Partnerships: Unlock the Innovative Potential

Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities that may provide your company with a competitive edge in the market and unlock the innovative potential that can enhance, refine, and revolutionize your products.

LANL’s licensing program focuses on moving inventions developed by our researchers to commercial innovations. Patented and patent pending inventions and copyrighted software are available to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. For specific discussions, please contact licensing@lanl.gov.

Note: This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology.

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