Recent technological advances have made electrolysis a viable renewable energy source, but its efficiency is limited by the availability of nanocatalysts. Nanocatalysts are small particles that are used to increase the efficiency of electrolysis reactions. In a recent study, researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have identified the limitations of nanocatalysts and developed strategies to overcome them. The study, published in the journal Nature Materials, could open the door to more efficient electrolysis technologies.

Researchers at UCLA have discovered that the limitations of nanocatalysts in electrolysis reactions are due to their size, shape, and surface properties. The size of the nanocatalysts affects the reaction rate, and the shape and surface properties determine how well the nanocatalysts interact with the electrolyte. To overcome these limitations, the researchers developed a new approach that combines the use of nanocatalysts with a unique type of electrolyte. By utilizing this new approach, the efficiency of electrolysis reactions can be increased, resulting in a more efficient renewable energy source.

Read Full Article Here

source: Phys.org