Vol. 58 (2022): Bulletin of the Chemists and Technologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Achieving the objective of climate neutrality in EU by 2050. will not be possible without deep decarbonization of industry, transport and energy sectors. Decarbonization of hydrogen production holds the central place in these efforts as it can be used as high energy value fuel (in combustion engines or fuel cells) for transport and domestic use, but also for electrical grid stabilization and full utilization of solar and wind power. Furthermore, production of hydrogen solely for Haber-Bosch process uses 1 % of the world's energy production, with the 1.4 % share of total CO2 emissions.
Hydrogen produced by electrochemical water splitting using solar, wind or nuclear energy has zero carbon footprint. However, efficiency of this process, as well as the overall efficiency of electrochemical hydrogen cycle (electrochemical production, electrochemical compression, electrochemical utilization) significantly depends on the thermodynamics and kinetics of fundamental electrochemical processes at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Consequently, rational design of affordable and scalable materials with excellent electrocatalytic performance (activity, stability and selectivity) towards the hydrogen evolution, hydrogen oxidation, oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions has never been more important and appreciated. Current research approaches absoultely rely on the knowledge of fundamental catalytic and electrochemical processes combined with quantum mechanics and computational methods, which enables rational planing of experimental work.
Although Bosnia and Herzegovina is not yet part of the European Union, its geographic position and existing industry dictates the need for prompt investments in research and development for transition to hydrogen-based green technologies. University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Science is currently the only academic/research institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina with active research projects dealing with (electro)catalysts for hydrogen economy.
Project Optimizing Fuel Cell Catalyst Stability upon Integration with Reforming, funded by NATO Science for Peace program and realized in collaboration with National Institute of Chemistry from Ljubljana and University of Belgrade – Faculty of Physical Chemistry, addresses stability of new Pt/modified graphene and nonPt/modified graphene composites for PEM-FC. Beside scientific outputs of the project, development of the real system - PEM fuel cell - has been done in collaboration with the project end user Center for Advanced Technologies Sarajevo.
Also, first investments in green hydrogen production are starting to formalize, as private company HEET d.o.o. from Rama-Prozor is setting up the first green hydrogen production plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina, based on PEM electrolyzer supplied by solar energy. These first steps are important because Bosnia and Herzegovina will soon be at the decarbonization or isolation crossroad, as there is still no strategy necessary for smooth connection to already well established European activities.
