A research team led by Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, has presented a new way to produce hydrogen gas without the scarce and expensive metal platinum. Using sunlight, water and tiny particles of electrically conductive plastic, the researchers show how the hydrogen can be produced efficiently, sustainably and at low cost.
Hydrogen plays a key role in the global pursuit of renewable energy. Although its use produces only water as a by-product, significant challenges remain before hydrogen can be produced both on a large scale and in an environmentally friendly way.
A major challenge is the use of the metal platinum as a co-catalyst when sunlight and water are used to produce hydrogen. Earth's reserves of platinum are limited, and extraction is associated with risks to both the environment and to human health. Moreover, the production is concentrated in only a few countries, for example, South Africa and Russia.
In a new study, published in Advanced Materials, a research team led by Professor Ergang Wang at Chalmers, shows how solar energy can be used to produce hydrogen gas efficiently—and completely without platinum.
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