Scientists just found a new way to make hydrogen from water
A new light-activated material can efficiently produce hydrogen from water without requiring an additional expensive metal catalyst.
A new light-activated material can efficiently produce hydrogen from water without requiring an additional expensive metal catalyst.
The short version
- Researchers say its unusual sulfur-based chemistry could point toward cheaper and more practical ways to turn sunlight into clean fuel.
- Researchers at Oregon State University have created a new class of materials that can use light to produce hydrogen from water, offering a potentially cleaner way to convert solar energy into fuel.
- The work was led by Kyriakos Stylianou of the OSU College of Science.
What happened
His team developed a photocatalyst capable of producing hydrogen quickly and efficiently. Hydrogen is widely used in fuel cells for vehicles, as well as in the production of ammonia, metal refining, and plastics manufacturing.
Why it matters
A catalyst is a substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without being permanently changed in the process, Stylianou said.
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