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High- and intermediate-temperature electrolysis is emerging as a breakthrough technology for producing e-chemicals and e-fuels, which can significantly cut global CO₂ emissions. One of the most promising methods is Solid Oxide Electrolysis (SOEL), which uses an oxygen ion-conducting electrolyte to efficiently convert electricity into hydrogen and other valuable chemicals. SOEL technology is now reaching a level of maturity that makes large-scale manufacturing possible.
Researchers are increasingly exploring heat-resistant and chemically stable polymers as components in hybrid electrocatalytic systems for SOEL. One widely studied material is graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), which does not have electrocatalytic properties on its own but enhances the performance of inorganic electrocatalysts when combined with them in the form of nanoparticles.
A promising next step is the development of next-generation polymeric electrocatalysts that can function as:
Metal-free catalytic systems (eliminating the need for expensive metals).
Hybrid systems that combine polymers with inorganic nanoparticles as co-catalysts.
A particularly exciting material for SOEL applications, explored in the H-GREEN project is carborane-stitched CₓNᵧ polymers, which may contain structural fragments of C₃N₄, C₂N, C₃N, and C₂N₅. These polymers offer several advantages:
Exceptional stability at the high temperatures required for electrolysis.
Superior electrical conductivity compared to traditional g-C₃N₄ materials.
Efficient charge separation, thanks to alternating nitrogen-enriched and nitrogen-depleted layers.
Reduced electron-hole recombination, which improves energy efficiency.
One unique feature of these materials is the carborane core, which acts as a vibration filter between layers, altering the way charge carriers (electrons and holes) move. This structure helps minimize energy losses, even under extreme operating conditions.
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