Development of a cobalt catalyst

The hydrogen Kobld
New technologies, such as the cobalt catalyst could increase the demand for cobalt.

Using a new technology, low hydrogen can be extracted from water. Cobalt catalysts are the magic formula. So could be a next step towards better fuel usage be made.

Scientists at Cambridge University could extract hydrogen from water using solar energy by having employed as inexpensive cobalt catalyst. This message deserves attention because so hydrogen can be used as fuel in conjunction with fuel cells. The new catalyst is inexpensive, takes only fresh water, works at normal room temperature and tolerate the oxygen present in the atmosphere.


Hydrogen is continuously obtained from the use of fossil fuels as a byproduct. So far, the catalysts are based on platinum. This is expensive. Although there are also other catalyst technologies which are more favorable than platinum, but inefficient. The cobalt catalyst could therefore still be very useful. And fuel cells are one of the growing industry of green energy. This could lead to the energy very good.

Of course, the cobalt catalyst is still in its infancy. Because the stability still lacks. But at Cambridge University, is heavily working on solutions to it. It is therefore impossible to say when these catalysts show a high demand for cobalt. But long term, it will certainly be the case.

Currently, slightly more cobalt is produced nearly 100,000 tons per year. Market experts believe that about 2016 the market is expected to be in balance. With new technologies, such as the catalyst, for example, the demand could exceed supply but earlier.

Also there could be supply-side problems. Because the majority of cobalt, about two-thirds come from the Congo. Where raw materials are often associated with the former civil war and its funding in conjunction. Therefore cobalt from the Congo is to be regarded cautiously. There are also notable occurrences outside the Congo, Australia, Zambia, Brazil, Russia and Canada. Furthermore, there is cobalt in the USA. Since there are more potential buyers of the metal, the building of a local promotion has been long