Electrochemical molecule synthesis coupled to hydrogen production

Research team at the University of Göttingen develops novel process using inexpensive cobalt. Green hydrogen is regarded as the clean energy carrier of the future: It can be produced decentrally and with the help of renewable forms of energy such as solar or wind energy without releasing climate-damaging carbon dioxide. Researchers at the University of Göttingen are working intensively on systems in which electrochemical hydrogen production is coupled to the conversion of carbon-hydrogen bonds. In the past, rare metals were used as catalysts to control the course of such reactions. In a new process, however, inexpensive cobalt serves as the catalyst. The results have been published in the journal Science . The conversion of actually unreactive carbon-hydrogen bonds is gaining importance in various contexts and is a research focus of Lutz Ackermann's group at the Faculty of Chemistry.