Japanese manufacturer Tanaka Precious Metal Technologies has received the 2025 Technology Award for proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis.
The award was given to the company at the Catalyst Manufacturers Association, Japan award ceremony held on 5 June.
Tanaka says the award was granted for the development and practical application of electrode catalysts for PEM water electrolysis, recognising a newly developed and commercialised dual-functional catalyst working as both an oxygen evolution reaction catalyst and gas recombination catalyst.
This new technology is focused on solving hydrogen crossover, a technological problem in the PEM water electrolysis process, by lowering the hydrogen concentration on the anode side of a water electrolysis reaction while maintaining high electrolysis efficiency.
PEM water electrolysis is considered an important technology for realising a carbon neutral society.
According to Science Direct, PEM water electrolysis is a method of producing hydrogen by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using an electric current and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane.
The process is considered to be efficient to generate high-purity hydrogen and is suited for applications that require high current densities and quick response to power fluctuations.
Catalyst Manufacturers Association, Japan was founded by companies manufacturing catalysts, producing catalyst-related materials and dealing with catalyst products to promote the development of Japan’s catalyst industry.
Tanaka, established in 1885, has built a portfolio of products to support a diversified range of business uses focused on precious metals.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Tanaka Precious Metal Technologies