Scientists at the Oregon State University in the USA have created a new class of materials that can use light to produce hydrogen from water.
This method could potentially pave the way for a new and cleaner way to convert solar energy into fuel.
Researchers developed a photocatalyst capable of producing hydrogen quickly and efficiently. A photocatalyst isa substance that, when activated by light, accelerates a chemical reaction without being permanently changed in the process.
The findings could provide researchers with another tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change.
For this study, the scientists used certain materials and chemicals which could ultimately make light-driven hydrogen production systems simpler to design.
Kyriakos Stylianou, lead researcher, said: “Our work provides a blueprint for designing better materials that can bring down the cost of green hydrogen.”
“By changing the metal while keeping the rest of the material essentially the same, we discovered why some versions of the MOF work much better than others. These findings provide new design rules for creating more effective materials for solar fuel production.”
Green hydrogen can be more expensive, as gas produced through methane-steam reforming costs $1.50 (£1.13) per kilogram, whereas green hydrogen costs around $5 (£3.78) per kilogram.
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