Scientists from different countries collaborated to develop a new method extracting hydrogen from water and sunlight. This alternative paves the way for a more cost-effective and environment-friendly means of producing hydrogen.
The new method involves the process of fusing the optical properties of the three dimensional photonic crystals and a 2-3 nm gold nanoparticles to create a highly active catalyst. This new catalyst is proven to produce more hydrogen than other known catalysts and it can harness the properties of both nanoparticles and photonic crystals of a metal.
Jordi Llorca , lead author of the study and a researcher of the UPC’s Institute of Energy and Technology, stated that the process is done by “tuning” the two materials in order to create a more powerful effect. To do this, he quips, “You have to choose the right photonic crystal and the right nanoparticles”.
The new method is a product of the brainstorming of researchers from University of Auckland (New Zealand), Institute of Energy and Technology (INTE), and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Saudi Arabia).
In this age where power is a very valuable commodity, many are regarding this new process of extracting hydrogen from water and sunlight as an important “environmental and energy” breakthrough.
Most conventional power plants run on fossil fuels but with this new technology, they can produce hydrogen in a renewable and more environment-friendly way. The process of extracting hydrogen can be done at room temperature and it is clearly more affordable in terms of raw material used.
Scientists involved in the study say that they were able to achieve the goal of converting at least five percent of solar energy into hydrogen within room temperature. The percentage mentioned is the threshold at which the new system will be deemed as feasible and viable.
Hydrogen production is getting a buzz since the early 2000s due to its promising properties as a new source of fuel. Hydrogen cars are the first application of this new fuel technology.
The study was published in the online journal Nature.
