New electrode materials for hydrogen production

It is proposed to explore the potential of a recent invention where a new class of materials has been identified as electrodes for hydrogen evolution. Presently platinum and other extremely expensive noble metals are the best electrode materials, and it is essential for a possible future hydrogen economy to find cheaper and equally efficient replacements. Our approach involves a search for new and more efficient variations of a new class of materials based on transition metal sulfides. We will be exploiting the synergy between designs on the basis of electronic structure calculations and the synthesis and testing of new materials.