KEMS1001 Catalytic processes and materials in sustainable hydrogen production (2–5 cr)

The course will cover the atomic-level phenomena involved in catalytic processes used in hydrogen production, as well as the atomic-level properties of materials used in electro- and photo-catalytic production of hydrogen. The course will also cover the development of new materials.

Students will be introduced to the physical and chemical phenomena that are essential in hydrogen production. The course covers traditional hydrogen production processes as well as electrochemical and photochemical methods. The course familiarizes students with the material chemistry of photo- and electrocatalysts, particularly the atomic and electronic properties of materials. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of developing new catalytic materials.

Upon completing the course, students will

• have a general understanding of traditional and new hydrogen production methods and how they relate to Finland's climate goals, industry, and research.
• be able to establish connections between atomic-level and macroscopic phenomena related to hydrogen production.
• be familiar with materials used in photochemical and electrocatalytic processes.
• understand the required physical and chemical properties of materials used in hydrogen production and how they relate to the atomic and electronic properties of materials.
• be familiar with the challenges related to materials used in hydrogen production and how new materials can be developed.

The course is completed independently as a two-part online course. Each part has its own Moodle course area. The first part focuses on hydrogen production processes and is worth 3 credits, while the second part focuses on materials and is worth 2 credits. Students can complete either one or both parts. The order of completion is flexible, but it is recommended to complete the 3-credit part first if the intention is to complete the entire course.