New three-layer materials could accelerate the global energy transition
Scientists at Linköping University have developed a groundbreaking composite material that could revolutionize solar hydrogen production. The three-layer material increases the efficiency of photocatalytic water splitting by eightfold—a leap that brings green hydrogen a decisive step closer to commercial viability.
The sun shines through the windows of the laboratory building at Linköping University as Associate Professor Jianwu Sun works on a material no larger than a fingernail, yet with the potential to transform the global energy landscape. His team has achieved a breakthrough in developing a three-layer material that increases hydrogen production efficiency from the current 2 percent to an impressive 16 percent.
The new composite material, consisting of cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC), cobalt oxide, and a catalyst material called Ni(OH)₂/Co₃O₄/3C-SiC, represents a significant advance in the search for clean energy. This innovative photoanode exhibits eight times better performance than pure cubic silicon carbide in water splitting.
Efficiency comparison of different hydrogen production technologies with the groundbreaking 8-fold efficiency leap of Linköping University
The science behind the breakthrough
"It's a very complicated structure, so our focus in this study was to understand the function of each layer and how it contributes to improving the material's properties," explains Sun. The key to success lies in the intelligent architecture of the three-layer system. When sunlight hits the material, electrical charges are generated that are used to split water.
The biggest challenge in developing photocatalytic materials is preventing positive and negative charges from neutralizing each other. By combining the cubic silicon carbide layer with the other two layers, the material becomes significantly better at separating the charges, thus making water splitting more effective. This "dual-interface engineering" strategy specifically manipulates the electronic structure to optimize charge separation.
Swedish scientists work on hydrogen technology and electrolysis equipment in state-of-the-art laboratories
The research team, including Hui Zeng, Satoru Yoshioka, and Weimin Wang, published their groundbreaking findings in the prestigious Journal of the American Chemical Society. The research was supported by several Swedish foundations, including the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT) and the government's Advanced Functional Materials (AFM) initiative.
Global market context: Explosive growth dynamics
The Swedish breakthrough comes at a critical time for the global hydrogen economy. The green hydrogen market is experiencing explosive growth, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 41.46 percent. The market is expected to grow from $8.78 billion in 2024 to $199.22 billion by 2034.
Exponential market growth of the global green hydrogen market with a compound annual growth rate of 41,461 TP11T
This dynamic reflects the urgent need for clean energy solutions, especially for sectors that are difficult to electrify. "Passenger cars can have a battery, but heavy trucks, ships, or aircraft cannot use a battery for energy storage," says Professor Sun, explaining the strategic importance of hydrogen.
Sweden's ambitious hydrogen roadmap
The Swedish government has presented an ambitious hydrogen strategy aimed at making the country a European leader. Sweden plans to build 5 gigawatts of electrolysis capacity by 2030, expanding to 15 gigawatts by 2045.
Sweden's national hydrogen strategy with ambitious targets for electrolysis capacity, hydrogen demand and CO₂ reduction by 2045
These capacities are expected to cover a hydrogen demand of 22-42 terawatt hours in the first phase, which could increase to 44-84 terawatt hours by 2045. The associated electricity consumption of 60 to 126 terawatt hours per year underscores the enormous challenges of the energy transition.
"The strategy sets a direction that can be shared by government and industry," explains Robert Andrén, Director General of the Swedish Energy Agency. The CO₂ reduction targets are impressive: 1.5-3 million tons by 2030 and 7-15 million tons by 2045.
The Swedish research ecosystem: Collaboration as a success factor
Laboratory equipment for hydrogen production by electrolysis
Sweden's hydrogen research is characterized by exemplary collaboration between universities, research institutes, and industry. The PUSH (Production, Use, and Storage of Hydrogen) Center of the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research brings together seven research groups at four universities and one research institute.
With a budget of 50 million Swedish kronor over five years, PUSH supports eight doctoral students and three postdocs. The center is researching polymer membrane electrolysis cells based on new alkaline membranes, liquid organic hydrogen carriers, and high-temperature fuel cells.
In parallel, Chalmers University established the TechForH2 Center with a total budget of 161 million Swedish kronor. The center focuses on hydrogen propulsion for heavy transport and aviation and includes partnerships with Volvo, Scania, Siemens Energy, and GKN Aerospace.
Industrial implementation: From security to commercialization
Industrial electrolyzer units in a green hydrogen production plant demonstrate advanced technology for sustainable energy
The Swedish hydrogen landscape is already showing initial commercial success. The KTH Royal Institute of Technology developed a revolutionary two-stage electrolysis process that separates hydrogen and oxygen production, thus significantly reducing safety risks.
Professor Joydeep Dutta explains: "One of the problems with current technologies for converting water into hydrogen gas is that they result in dangerous combinations of hydrogen and oxygen. We have developed a two-step process in which we completely separate the production of oxygen and hydrogen, making it completely safe."
The startup Caplyzer, which was developed from this research, has already received funding from Vinnova and the Swedish Energy Agency. The company is developing a patented supercapacitor electrolysis technology that functions like a battery and is intended to make green hydrogen production safer and more cost-effective.
International Cooperations: The Danish Connection
Industrial hydrogen production plant with modern equipment and safety barriers
Sweden's hydrogen ambitions are closely linked to Danish technology developments. The Danish company Topsoe is currently building a SOEC (Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells) production plant in Herning with an annual capacity of 500 megawatts.
Topsoe's SOEC technology achieves efficiencies of over 90 percent and is considered one of the most energy-efficient electrolysis solutions. A demonstration plant with 12 stacks (1200 cells) demonstrated remarkable stability over 2250 hours of operation with a power consumption of only 36 kilowatt-hours per kilogram of hydrogen.
The close collaboration between Swedish research institutions and Danish industrial companies illustrates the regional approach to hydrogen development. Topsoe is already planning a second factory in Virginia, USA, and is working with ABB and Fluor on standardized production concepts.
Challenges: Realistic assessment of the hurdles
A water electrolysis apparatus for hydrogen production experiments
Despite impressive progress, the hydrogen economy faces significant obstacles. Production costs remain a critical factor: While grey hydrogen from fossil fuels costs approximately $0.50 per kilogram, green hydrogen currently costs $6.50 per kilogram in Europe.
The intermittency of renewable energy poses a particular challenge for electrolyzers. Both alkaline and PEM (proton exchange membrane) electrolyzers suffer from efficiency losses and increased wear under intermittent power supply. Studies show that both technologies experience reduced efficiency and increased wear under intermittent power supply.
The infrastructure challenges are equally significant. Existing pipeline infrastructure cannot transport pure hydrogen due to hydrogen embrittlement. Building new Teflon-coated pipelines would cost hundreds of billions of dollars in North America alone.
Critical review: Between hype and reality
A sober analysis shows that, despite impressive research breakthroughs, the road to a commercial hydrogen economy is still long. The International Energy Agency reports that less than 7 percent of the announced electrolysis capacity has reached the final investment decision stage.
Several major projects have already been postponed or canceled, including the 17-megawatt Hanover project and the 12-gigawatt HyEnergy project in Australia. The reasons are varied: cost increases along the value chain, uncertainty about customer acceptance, difficult grid connections, and complex regulatory frameworks.
Professor Sun of Linköping University realistically admits that "it could take about five to ten years for the research team to develop materials that reach the coveted 10 percent threshold." This timeline highlights that even promising laboratory results are still years away from commercial application.
Sector-specific applications: Where hydrogen scores
Industrial tank for green hydrogen storage with hydrogen symbol in front of natural landscape
The greatest opportunities for green hydrogen lie in areas where electrification is reaching its limits. In aviation, Swedish initiatives are showing promising approaches. GKN Aerospace's H2JET project is developing hydrogen-powered turboprop or turbofan engines for the entry-level market, with planned market launch in Europe by 2035.
Professor Tomas Grönstedt of Chalmers explains: "An electrically powered aircraft, for example, would be able to fly a maximum of 500 kilometers. With hydrogen, the range could increase to 3,000 kilometers." This increase in range makes hydrogen particularly attractive for aviation.
At the same time, RISE SICOMP is researching ultra-light liquid hydrogen tanks for aircraft, while shipping and heavy transport are also considered promising fields of application.
Economic perspectives: investments and market dynamics
Bloomberg NEF documents a quadrupling of financing for low-carbon hydrogen to $280 billion from 2021 to 2023. This investment momentum reflects confidence in the technology's long-term potential, even as short-term challenges remain.
The French company Lhyfe recently secured €11 million from Sweden's Klimatklivet program for a hydrogen production plant in Vaggeryd. With a capacity of 10 megawatts, the plant is expected to produce 4.4 tons of hydrogen daily starting in 2027.
Cost trends are optimistic: Hybrid solar-wind systems can reduce the levelized hydrogen cost from 3.5 to 8.9 euros per kilogram. Intelligent load management can reduce costs by up to 28 percent by avoiding production during electricity price peaks.
Regulatory landscape: Politics as a driver and obstacle
Sweden's hydrogen policy faces a balancing act between ambition and realism. The government has defined four national positions on hydrogen: contributing to the energy transition, focusing on applications without resource-efficient alternatives, efficient integration into electricity and heating systems, and infrastructure expansion for competitive energy prices.
Despite this clear position, Sweden's hydrogen regulatory framework remains incomplete. Tax inconsistencies, such as the equal taxation of renewable and fossil hydrogen, hinder the transition to renewable energy.
The EU Hydrogen Strategy sets ambitious targets: 40 gigawatts of electrolysis capacity and 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen production by 2030. However, unequal economic capacities between Member States and regulatory hurdles require harmonized efforts.
Future prospects: realistic forecasts
The future of the Swedish hydrogen economy depends on several critical factors. IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute predicts that Sweden's hydrogen demand could exceed production capacity by 2035, but could reverse by 2045, making Sweden a net exporter.
The scenarios show a wide range: hydrogen demand could exceed production capacity by 2035, while this situation could reverse by 2045. The main challenges remain a lack of transmission and distribution infrastructure and insufficient power supply capacity at some locations.
Mirjam Särnbratt of IVL emphasizes: "With the right strategies and support, Sweden can take a leading role in the global transition to renewable energy with hydrogen and electrofuels, but this development depends on how we prioritize the resources needed for the climate transition."
Conclusion: Breakthrough with reservations
Linköping University's efficiency leap undoubtedly marks a significant scientific advance in hydrogen technology. The increase from 2 to 16 percent efficiency in photocatalytic water splitting brings solar hydrogen production significantly closer to commercial feasibility.
Nevertheless, significant challenges remain. The gap between laboratory results and industrial scale-up is considerable, and economic competitiveness with fossil hydrogen requires further drastic cost reductions. The intermittent nature of renewable energy, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory uncertainties remain key obstacles.
Sweden's coordinated approach, with strong research funding, industrial collaboration, and ambitious policy goals, nevertheless positions the country as a serious player in the global hydrogen economy. Whether the current scientific breakthrough represents a turning point for commercial hydrogen production remains to be seen in the coming years.
One thing is certain: the path to a hydrogen economy will require continuous innovation, realistic assessments, and patient investment in this future technology. The Swedish researchers have reached an important milestone with their eightfold efficiency leap – now it's time to translate this laboratory success into industrial reality.
Further links
- Linköping University Research: More about hydrogen research
- PUSH Center: Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute: Hydrogen potential studies
- Topsoe SOEC technology: Danish electrolyzer solutions
