One aerogel platform, endless market potential

Targeting major hydrogen markets to eliminate our carbon footprint

Hydrogen is an essential feedstock for many industries. By decarbonizing hydrogen, we can eliminate an enormous part of the industrial carbon footprint. The following are estimates of the current per annum hydrogen demand and hydrogen-related carbon footprint for each industry.

Ammonia

  • $43B hydrogen demand

  • 287 million tonnes of CO2

  • 5-7% CAGR

Methanol

  • $34B hydrogen demand

  • 227 million tonnes of CO2

  • 7-10% CAGR

Iron, steel, and other refining

  • $105B hydrogen demand

  • 700 million tonnes of CO2

  • 8-15% CAGR

Transportation

  • $37B hydrogen demand

  • 247 million tonnes of CO2

  • 15-30% CAGR

Synthetic fuels and biomass upgrading

  • $31B hydrogen demand

  • 207 million tonnes of CO2

  • 12-20% CAGR

Heat and power

  • $25B hydrogen demand

  • 167 million tonnes of CO2

  • 5-8% CAGR

Eliminating 2 billion tonnes of CO2 per year

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Broad catalyst applications

To achieve the full potential of M1’s catalyst innovation, we endeavor to introduce frontier expanding aerogel catalysts in the following segments.

  • AEM electrolysis splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity and an anion-conducting membrane (AEM) in a mildly alkaline electrolyte. AEM systems do not require PGMs, but they suffer from lower current density and OER durability. M1 Catalysts initial bi-metal aerogel variants drastically improve efficiency and durability for both reactions.

    Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) - Cathode
    At the cathode (negative electrode), water molecules are reduced to produce hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions: 2H2O + 2e− → H2 + 2OH−

    Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) - Anode
    At the anode (positive electrode), hydroxide ions are oxidized to produce oxygen gas: 4OH− → O2 + 2H2O+ 4e−

  • M1 Catalysts can benefit PEM electrolysis by eliminating the need for PGMs (Platinum for HER at cathode, and Iridium for OER at anode) and mitigating OER catalyst degradation.

    Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) – Cathode
    2H+ + 2e− → H2​↑

    Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) – Anode
    2H2​O → O2​↑ + 4H+ + 4e−

  • A PEM fuel cell converts chemical energy from hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, water, and heat. The process occurs in two main steps at the electrodes, separated by a proton-conducting membrane. Similar to PEM electrolysis, PEM fuel cells currently depend on PGMs. M1 Catalysts plans to explore high-entropy aerogels made from abundant metals that could outperform conventional PGMs.

    Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction (HOR) - Anode
    At the anode, hydrogen gas is split into protons and electrons: H2 → 2H+ + 2e−

    Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) - Cathode
    At the cathode, oxygen gas reacts with protons and electrons to form water: O2 + 4H+ + 4e− → 2H2O

  • The efficiency, power, and rechargeability of metal-air batteries are largely determined by the kinetics and reversibility of these oxygen electrode reactions. Catalysts (like M1’s aerogels) can be used at the oxygen electrode to lower the energy barriers and improve battery performance.

    Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) - Discharge
    During battery discharge, oxygen from the air is reduced at the cathode. The specific reaction depends on the battery chemistry and the electrolyte. For Zn-air systems: O2​ + 2H2​O + 4e− → 4OH−

    Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) – Recharge
    During battery charging (for rechargeable metal-air batteries), the reverse reaction occurs at the cathode: 4OH− → O2 ​+ 2H2​O + 4e−

How it works