Cocreate the sustainable society through our innovative bio-inspired technologies.

Catalytic electrodes using AZUL catalysts as key materials will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by improving the efficiency of next-generation energy devices.

CEO

Koju Ito

July 11th, 2024

AZUL Energy, a startup founded in 2019 from Tohoku University, aims to create a sustainable society through unique bio-inspired technology. Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the company is dedicated to advancing clean energy solutions from the Tohoku region. They focus on transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, addressing climate change, and promoting the use of their rare metal-free AZUL catalyst, which has potential applications in next-generation energy devices like air batteries and hydrogen production equipment.

The AZUL catalyst, discovered during blue pigment research at Tohoku University, is a highly efficient alternative to conventional catalysts like platinum, without relying on scarce resources. AZUL Energy has been developing a range of catalysts based on a unique molecular structure that mimics natural systems, aiming to contribute to a decarbonized society. Despite challenges, the company is committed to refining its business strategies, ensuring profitability, and expanding globally. AZUL Energy envisions a future where energy devices equipped with AZUL catalysts provide clean energy worldwide, reducing reliance on limited resources and fostering environmental harmony.

Road to Net Zero by 2050

At present, even if we sum up the carbon dioxide reduction targets included in the commitments of each country, it will not be possible to achieve zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
In addition to utilizing existing technologies, it is essential to develop and implement new technologies that enable the use of renewable energy and the capture and reuse of emitted carbon dioxide.

Energy industry reliant on rare metals

Currently, essential technologies for the production of clean energy, such as lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, and water electrolysis, rely on rare metal catalysts like platinum.
Since the reserves of rare metals are limited and associated with geopolitical risks, it is crucial to develop recycling technologies and to create catalysts that do not use rare metals.

AZUL Catalyst,
-PGM free, high activity catalyst-

The AZUL catalyst, which does not contain rare metals and can be synthesized using common chemical processes, possesses catalytic activity comparable to that of rare metal catalysts.
We will provide the AZUL catalyst in forms tailored to customer needs for developing next-generation energy devices, utilizing catalyst molecule design & synthesis technology and electrode fabrication process technology.

Catalyst design inspired by reactions in living organisms

The oxygen taken in through respiration is transported throughout the body by red blood cells in the bloodstream. At this time, the heme structure within the protein hemoglobin, found in red blood cells, plays a crucial role.

The iron atom at the center of the heme structure enables the adsorption and desorption of oxygen, facilitating its uptake and release.

Focusing on the function of this heme structure, the AZUL catalyst was developed by designing molecules capable of efficiently reducing oxygen.

Monomolecular adsorption structure on a carbon support

The AZUL catalyst has a structure in which AZUL dye, which shares a similar structure with heme, is densely adsorbed as a monolayer on the surface of a carbon support. This structure allows the catalytically active central metal, analogous to the iron atom in heme, to exist at a high density without interfering with one another.

The name “AZUL catalyst” is derived from the initials of AZaphthalocyanine, a representative AZUL molecule that exhibits a Unimolecular Layers structure. Additionally, “AZUL” means “blue” in Spanish, and solutions of the AZUL catalyst also display a beautiful blue color.

200+ Catalyst Library

AZUL catalysts are a family of innovative catalyst molecules based on phthalocyanine and azaphthalocyanine frameworks. By precisely selecting central metals and substituents, we design catalysts optimized for a wide range of electrochemical reactions, including oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

At AZUL Energy, we combine advanced organic synthesis techniques with cutting-edge computational modeling to accelerate the discovery of next-generation AZUL catalysts. Our relentless pursuit of innovation drives the future of sustainable energy solutions.

End to end services

We specialize in selecting the optimal carbon supports for specific applications, developing advanced ink dispersion and coating techniques, and utilizing sheet-forming expertise. Additionally, we possess evaluation systems for initial performance testing using original battery cells.

We offer tailored material solutions and evaluation services to meet diverse customer needs.