Enviro News Asia, South Tangerang — Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency has developed an innovative nanocarbon catalyst derived from battery waste to support sustainable hydrogen production, marking a significant step toward green energy and circular economy development.
The research is led by Indri Badria Adilina, a principal researcher at BRIN’s Research Center for Catalysis. The study applies principles of green and sustainable chemistry by transforming battery waste into high-value catalytic materials.
As the global shift toward electric vehicles accelerates, the accumulation of battery waste has become a growing environmental concern. Addressing this issue, the research utilizes carbon-rich “black mass” from used batteries as a raw material for nanocarbon catalysts.
The catalyst is applied in electrocatalytic water splitting, a process that separates water into hydrogen and oxygen to produce clean hydrogen fuel. According to Indri, the modified carbon material exhibits high electrical conductivity, enabling efficient electron transfer during the catalytic reaction.
In addition, the nanocarbon catalyst features a large surface area and porous nano-structure, which significantly enhances catalytic efficiency and accelerates hydrogen production.
Advanced characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were used to analyze the catalyst’s morphology and structure. Further atomic-level analysis was conducted using synchrotron X-ray and neutron scattering facilities through international collaborations.
The research involves partnerships with Gadjah Mada University and BRIN’s Research Center for Nanotechnology Systems, as well as global collaborators such as ISIS Neutron and Muon Source and Synchrotron Light Research Institute.
Indri emphasized that catalysts play a crucial role across industries, from energy and healthcare to food and textiles, by lowering activation energy and improving process efficiency. She noted that nanocarbon catalysts can reduce energy requirements in hydrogen production by up to two to three times compared to processes without catalysts.
Looking ahead, BRIN highlights the importance of collaboration with industry to scale up the technology. By developing cost-effective, durable, and efficient catalysts, the innovation is expected to reduce production costs while advancing Indonesia’s transition toward sustainable industrial practices.
This breakthrough underscores Indonesia’s growing role in green technology innovation, particularly in advancing hydrogen as a clean alternative fuel and promoting circular economy solutions. (*)
