Korea Institute of Energy Research develops precision catalyst manufacturing technology

A research team led by Dr. Kim Hee-yeon at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), in collaboration with researchers from the United States, Japan, and South Korea, has developed a selective Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technology to precisely control the size, position, and surrounding structure of catalyst atoms.

By applying this method to the conversion of methane into ethylene, the team achieved a 7.5-fold increase in methane conversion rates (from 6.9% to 51.7%) and a 29-fold improvement in ethylene yield (from 0.9% to 26.0%). The process allows tungsten atoms to be selectively deposited onto manganese particles, increasing the utilization rate of tungsten from 28% to 82%.

Unlike traditional liquid-phase methods that often lead to particle clumping, this selective CVD technique operates at relatively low temperatures and atmospheric pressure, making it cost-effective and suitable for mass production. The technology demonstrated stability during continuous operation at 800 degrees Celsius for 180 hours. Future applications include hydrogen production, fuel cells, secondary battery electrodes, and various hydrocarbon reforming processes.