Hydrogen Project
Hydrogène

The Hydrogen project is at the heart of the energy transition. It is the result of a collaboration between the academic laboratory iSm2 (Institute of Molecular Sciences of Marseille) and the company RENER.

Faced with the climate emergency and the energy challenges of the 21st century, molecular hydrogen (H2) is the ideal energy carrier for storing renewable energy and decarbonizing the industrial and transport sectors. However, its large-scale integration is hampered by major obstacles such as the production method, which generates significant CO2 emissions. The environmentally friendly alternative, water electrolysis, remains expensive.

Therefore, our research focuses on improving proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis technology, recognized as the most mature and flexible solution for producing low-carbon hydrogen.
However, these electrolyzers rely on expensive and rare catalysts such as platinum and iridium; moreover, their operation requires the use of ultrapure water, which increases the complexity and operating costs of the systems.

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Our goal

aims to design and industrialize a low-carbon hydrogen production system that overcomes the limitations of industrial PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolyzers, offering a high-performance, sustainable, and more affordable alternative.
By combining the expertise of iSm2 and RENER, the hydrogen project actively contributes to the national strategy for decarbonized hydrogen and the France 2030 Plan.

A bio-inspired cathode

Our disruptive technology directly addresses the core of the cost problem: the catalyst.
We are developing a bio-inspired cathode that eliminates the need for platinum by using a molecular catalyst based on abundant, non-noble metals. Our approach is inspired by hydrogenases (natural enzymes capable of converting hydrogen) to replicate their efficiency in a sustainable, artificial system.

This approach enables:

• Cost reduction: Replacement of rare metals with abundant transition metals.
• Operational simplicity: The design allows for efficient hydrogen production without the need for ultrapure water.

Intellectual property

This R&D is protected by several patent applications, including a first one on the initial concept of a bio-inspired molecular catalyst for the production of hydrogen by electrocatalytic reduction of protons (FR3154331) and a second one relating to an innovative process for the production of low carbon hydrogen in a solid matrix (FR2501389).

Interface of innovation hubs

The project benefits from institutional support, recognizing its relevance to the decarbonized hydrogen sector. The Novachim Innovation Cluster fully supports this project, and the Capenergies competitiveness cluster awarded it its label in 2025 for its relevance and quality.

Logos of the Capenergies 2025 and Novachim labels.

The chemistry laboratory

Our chemistry laboratory is the epicenter of research, enabling the synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of molecular catalysts.

Researcher with his back to us, wearing a white coat, working under a laboratory fume hood with a chemical diagram on the glass.

Laboratory with Secuflow fume hood, various equipment and chemical storage cabinet.

The section dedicated to experimental setup

To evaluate the efficiency of the bio-inspired cathode, we use a gas chromatograph coupled with a potentiostat; this instrumental coupling gives us the ability to accurately quantify the hydrogen produced.