Hydrogen energy is the chemical energy released from the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. As a secondary clean energy source, it is being rapidly developed and utilized in the context of achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals.
Secondary energy acts as a crucial link between primary energy sources and end-users, and is categorized into process energy (such as electricity) and energy-carrying energy (such as gasoline and diesel). Since process energy is difficult to store directly, transportation has long relied on energy-carrying sources.
With the advancement of technologies like electric vehicles, electricity is now gradually replacing traditional fuels. However, gasoline and diesel heavily depend on diminishing fossil fuels, making it urgent to find new, abundant energy-carrying alternatives.
Hydrogen energy is widely regarded as a promising new secondary energy source that does not rely on fossil fuels.
Titanium is the most widely used metal in the hydrogen energy field, mainly due to its exceptional corrosion resistance and high specific strength.
In the PEM electrolyzer, due to the highly acidic and high potential working environment, titanium is the ideal material for manufacturing the anode end plate and the porous transport layer. This is because it can operate stably for a long time without being corroded.
In fuel cells, titanium plates can serve as metal bipolar plates. After being precisely stamped and treated with a conductive coating, the titanium plates can not only conduct electricity and distribute gases, but also are lightweight and durable.
Titanium is mainly processed into titanium plates, titanium foils and titanium mats in the forms of commercial pure titanium (Gr.1/2) and titanium alloys (Gr.5).
Vanadium plays a very unique role in the hydrogen energy industry. It does not directly participate in the production or use of hydrogen but is crucial in the complementary energy storage process.
All-vanadium flow battery: Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy are intermittent. The VRB can store these green electricity on a large scale for a long time, thus ensuring a stable and affordable power source for the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen. In this sense, vanadium is a key enabler for the large-scale development of green hydrogen.
The main form of use for vanadium is as vanadium ions in an electrolyte dissolved in sulfuric acid.
Tantalum also has unique applications in the hydrogen energy industry. Its corrosion resistance is even better than that of titanium.
Under more demanding conditions, tantalum is used as a protective coating for titanium components or as a catalyst carrier. The oxide film formed on the surface of the components is very stable, which can protect the internal low-melting metals or enhance the durability of the catalyst.
Niobium is mainly used as an additive for modifying catalysts. For instance, adding niobium to the IrO2 catalyst can alter its electronic structure, enhance the catalytic activity and anti-dissolution ability of the oxygen evolution reaction, thereby reducing the amount of precious metals and improving the efficiency of the electrolyzer.
Niobium is usually not present in large-scale structural components, but rather exists in forms such as coatings, additives, or oxides
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