The motivation is urgent: proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis can turn renewable electricity into green hydrogen, but it is often limited by the high cost of precious platinum-group catalysts. MoS₂ is a widely studied alternative, prized for its earth-abundant constituents and catalytic potential.

Yet conventional MoS₂ typically underperforms because most activity concentrates at sulfur edge sites, while the basal plane remains relatively inert. For practical electrolyzers that must run at high current densities, simply increasing material quantity is not enough—the catalyst must expose and stabilize active regions across both edges and planes.

In a paper featured in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, scientists from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (CAS) led by Profs. DENG Dehui, CUI Xiaoju, and YU Liang describe a dual-site substitution strategy. Te atoms are engineered to simultaneously replace both Mo and S atoms within the MoS₂ lattice, creating a Te–MoS₂ structure with enhanced catalytic behavior.

Electrochemical testing shows striking performance. The Te–MoS₂ catalyst needs only 364 mV overpotential to reach an industrial-level current density of 1000 mA·cm⁻² in acidic electrolyte—far below the 662 mV reported for commercial 20 wt% Pt/C. Even more important for scale-up, the catalyst sustains stable operation for 200 hours without noticeable decay.

Analysis suggests the substitution does more than introduce defects. By reshaping local bonding and electronic structure, Te atoms activate neighboring sulfur atoms and encourage the formation of smaller, edge-rich MoS₂ nanosheets. This yields abundant active sites not only at edges but also across the basal plane, while tuning hydrogen adsorption to be more favorable.

The researchers frame their work as “single-element dual-site substitution,” offering a design principle that may help other earth-abundant catalysts move closer to platinum-like performance. If transferable, the approach could accelerate the development of cost-effective HER electrocatalysts for real-world hydrogen production.

Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: Dual-Site Substitution With Single Te Atoms in MoS2 Boosting Hydrogen Evolution
News Publication Date: 4-May-2026
Web References: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.4057686
References: 10.1002/anie.4057686
Image Credits: Not provided

Keywords

Catalysis, Hydrogen evolution reaction, MoS₂, Dual-site substitution, Tellurium doping, PEM water electrolysis

The reverse water-gas shift reaction represents a critical technology that operates by utilizing hydrogen to convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide and water. This process occurs in a reactor, where hydrogen molecules are added to carbon dioxide under high temperatures. The carbon monoxide produced can subsequently be combined with hydrogen to form syngas, a versatile building block for synthetic fuels like e-fuels and methanol. The significance of RWGS cannot be understated; it holds the potential to catalyze the green energy revolution.

E-fuels, or synthetic fuels, are created through a process involving renewable electricity to generate green hydrogen, while simultaneously capturing carbon dioxide from either the atmosphere or sustainable biomass. This technology emerges as a vital alternative to conventional fossil fuels, particularly in sectors that are challenging to decarbonize, such as aviation and maritime transportation. With the growing necessity to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, the role of RWGS as a technological cornerstone becomes increasingly prominent.

Traditionally, RWGS operates efficiently at temperatures exceeding 800 °C, where nickel-based catalysts are often employed due to their thermal stability. However, these high temperatures can lead to particle agglomeration, a process that diminishes catalytic activity over time. Conversely, at lower temperatures, byproducts such as methane can form, which further complicates the productivity of carbon monoxide. As a result, current research has pivoted towards optimizing catalysts that maintain high levels of efficiency even when operating at lower temperatures. This is crucial for minimizing operational costs and maximizing overall catalyst performance.

The research team at KIER has made significant strides in this area by developing a copper-based catalyst that is both cost-effective and abundant. Their copper-magnesium-iron mixed oxide catalyst has outperformed traditional commercial copper catalysts by producing carbon monoxide at a rate 1.7 times faster and with a yield that is 1.5 times higher when tested at 400 °C. Unlike nickel catalysts, the innovative copper-based design efficiently produces carbon monoxide without generating undesirable byproducts like methane, even at lower temperatures.

However, a significant challenge remains in maintaining the thermal stability of copper-based catalysts, as their stability decreases considerably at approximately 400 °C. This thermal instability can lead to particle agglomeration, subsequently reducing the efficacy of the catalyst. To counteract this issue, the KIER research team introduced a layered double hydroxide (LDH) architecture. The LDH structure, characterized by its multilayered composition, integrates metal layers with interstitial water molecules and anions. By tweaking the types and ratios of the metal ions involved, the team was able to modify the catalyst’s physical and chemical properties to enhance stability.

Through meticulous real-time infrared analysis and various experimental procedures, the research team discovered the underlying reasons for their catalyst’s superior performance. Traditional copper catalysts typically form intermediates known as formate during the reaction of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. However, the newly developed catalyst bypasses this intermediate phase, allowing the direct conversion of carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide on the catalyst surface. This direct approach is pivotal, as it eliminates the formation of unwanted intermediates, ensuring sustained catalytic activity, even at relatively low operational temperatures.

The performance metrics of this catalyst are astonishing. It achieved a carbon monoxide yield of 33.4% and a formation rate of 223.7 micromoles per gram of catalyst per second at 400 °C, maintaining operational stability for more than 100 hours. Compared to existing commercial copper catalysts, this signifies a remarkable improvement of over 1.7-fold in formation rate and a 1.5-fold enhancement in yield. Moreover, when juxtaposed with noble metal catalysts such as platinum, typically known for excelling at lower temperatures, the KIER team’s copper-based catalyst displayed a formation rate 2.2-fold higher and yield 1.8-fold greater, establishing its position as one of the preeminent catalysts in the global research landscape.

Dr. Koo, the leading researcher behind this project, expressed immense optimism regarding the implications of this development for the future of synthetic fuel production. He noted that the low-temperature CO2 hydrogenation catalyst technology represents a monumental advancement that could promote efficient carbon monoxide production using widely available and affordable metals. Such strides could greatly benefit the production of key feedstocks needed for sustainable synthetic fuels, which remain critical on the path to carbon neutrality.

The research team is committed to taking their findings beyond the laboratory stage, aiming to integrate this innovative catalyst technology into real-world industrial applications. By doing so, they aspire to contribute meaningfully to achieving carbon neutrality while paving the way for the commercialization of sustainable synthetic fuel production methodologies. As the demand for cleaner energy sources rises, the implications of KIER’s research extend well beyond academic circles, promising to play a pivotal role in the evolution of the energy sector.

In conclusion, the work of Dr. Kee Young Koo and his research team represents a significant leap towards developing methodologies that capitalize on carbon dioxide as a resource rather than a waste product. The implications of their findings may reshape the energy industry, incentivizing further innovation in sustainable practices and catalyzing a movement towards greener alternatives. The breakthrough achieved by utilizing a novel copper-based catalyst not only illustrates the potential for significant advancements in fuel production and carbon management but also provides a roadmap for other researchers in the quest for sustainable energy solutions.

Subject of Research: Development of a copper-based catalyst for the reverse water–gas shift reaction
Article Title: Synthesis of CuOx catalysts supported on Fe-modified mixed oxides with high CO formation rates in low-temperature CO2 hydrogenation
News Publication Date: 15-Nov-2025
Web References: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.125475
References: KIER’s R&D project findings and the journal Applied Catalysis B: Environmental and Energy
Image Credits: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH

Keywords

Catalyst, Reverse Water-Gas Shift, Carbon Dioxide, Renewable Fuel, Copper-based Catalyst, Energy Research, Eco-Friendly Fuel, Carbon Neutrality, Synthesis, Hydrogenation, Sustainable Energy, Thermal Stability