H2NANO

Operando Nanoscale Insights for Hydrogen Catalysts

Green hydrogen is a cornerstone of the European strategy for the energy transition. The efficiency, sustainability, and costs of electrolysis systems depend crucially on the performance of the catalysts. Despite investments in catalyst research, progress remains empirical, as no measurement technique exists that can correlate the surface structure at the atomic level, the electronic properties, and the local electrochemical activity under operational conditions.

The solution

This project addresses this measurement gap by developing two operando electrochemical scanning probe microscopy techniques: Current Imaging Tunnelling Spectroscopy in electrochemical environments (EC-CITS) and Electrochemical Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (EC-KPFM). Both techniques are being developed as extensions of the commercially available EC-STM platform from Leiden Probe Microscopy (LPM), utilizing AMOLF's expertise in tuning fork sensor development and hydrogen catalyst science. EC-CITS provides a direct relative measure of local electrochemical reactivity. EC-KPFM provides a quantitative electronic structure proxy for relative catalytic activity.

The method

This project addresses this measurement gap by developing two operando electrochemical scanning probe microscopy techniques: Current Imaging Tunneling Spectroscopy in electrochemical environments (EC-CITS) and Electrochemical Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (EC-KPFM). Both techniques are being developed as extensions of the commercially available EC-STM platform from Leiden Probe Microscopy (LPM), utilizing AMOLF's expertise in tuning fork sensor development and hydrogen catalyst science. EC-CITS provides a direct relative measure of local electrochemical reactivity. EC-KPFM provides a quantitative electronic structure proxy for relative catalytic activity.

The results

The project yields three commercial results for the Netherlands: (i) the EC-SPM platform as a globally unique research instrument with a cumulative revenue potential of >50 million euros for LPM; (ii) a scientific basis for an AMOLF spin-off that commercializes optimized HER catalysts; and (iii) an EC-SPM measuring instrument for quality control in industrial catalyst production. All three results generate intellectual property anchored in the Netherlands, strengthen Dutch market leadership in high-tech instrumentation and cleantech, and directly support the economic feasibility of Dutch offshore wind investments through improved hydrogen storage and transport.

Facts & figures

Scheme: MKB Hightech
Programme: | -
Total budgeted project costs: € 757.500,00
Project start date: 1 October 2026
Project end date: 30 September 2028

Project managers

Max Kouwenhoven

Project consortium

Leiden Probe Microscopy Nederlandse Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Instituten (NWO-I)

Innovatiedomein

Energy Materials

Kennis- en Innovatieagenda

Circulaire Economie
Sleuteltechnologieën

Sleuteltechnologie

Energy materials
Imaging technologies

Urgent transitions

Energietransitie