South Korean Researchers Debut High Efficiency Electrolyzer Using Waste Glycerol for Green Hydrogen Production

South Korean researchers develop an AEMWE system using waste glycerol to simultaneously produce green hydrogen and value-added formate at low energy costs.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 6:39 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

A Strategic Shift in Electrochemical Energy Conversion

Engineers in South Korea have successfully demonstrated a next-generation electrochemical system that simultaneously addresses the cost of green hydrogen and the surplus of industrial byproducts. A research collaboration led by the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) and the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has developed an electrolyzer that utilizes waste glycerol from biodiesel production. By replacing the standard anodic oxygen evolution reaction, which typically acts as a bottleneck due to high energy demands and sluggish kinetics, the team has implemented a glycerol oxidation reaction. This strategic pivot allows for the production of hydrogen at a significantly lower cell voltage of 1.31 V, effectively lowering the thermodynamic barrier for fuel generation.

Overcoming the Constraints of Conventional Water Electrolysis

Traditional green hydrogen production is often hindered by the inefficiency of the oxygen evolution reaction at the anode, which requires substantial energy input and offers no secondary economic value. According to Juchan Yang, principal researcher at KIMS, the new anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) system overcomes these hurdles by integrating a paired electrolysis strategy. This method ensures that the energy consumed during the process contributes to two distinct value streams. The implementation of this technology could potentially reshape the economics of the hydrogen sector, transforming a high-cost energy process into a profitable chemical manufacturing operation.

Non-Precious Metal Catalysts Enhance Industrial Viability

One of the most significant technical achievements of this study is the development of a copper-cobalt-based catalyst that avoids the use of expensive noble metals like platinum or iridium. This surface-modified oxide catalyst demonstrated exceptional activity and stability, achieving a current density of 110 mA/cm². By utilizing abundant, low-cost materials for the catalyst, the research team has removed one of the primary capital expenditure barriers to large-scale electrolyzer deployment. Professor Ji-Wook Jang of UNIST noted that converting bio-derived byproducts into chemicals like formate is a critical strategy for advancing both the hydrogen economy and global carbon neutrality goals.