The scientists claim this to be a relatively inexpensive solution to producing hydrogen using pH neutral water at room temperature and in the presence of atmospheric oxygen – all real-life, industry-specific conditions.
University of Cambridge head of the Christian Doppler Laboratory and lead author of the research Dr Erwin Reisner underscored the findings as the first steps towards producing green hydrogen in industry specific conditions but remained cautions of the hurdles ahead.
"Of course, many hurdles such as the rather poor stability of the catalyst remain to be addressed, but our finding provides a first step to produce ‘green hydrogen’ under relevant conditions," said Dr, Reisner.
The researchers will now look to find a solar water splitting device, where fuel hydrogen and the by-product oxygen can be produced simultaneously.
"A H2 evolution catalyst which is active under elevated O2 levels is crucial if we are to develop an industrial water splitting process – a chemical reaction that separates the two elements which make up water," added Dr. Reisner.
Co-authors of the study Fezile Lakadamyali and Masaru Kato expressed confidence in being able to assemble a sunlight-driven water splitting in the near future.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, UK the Christian Doppler Research Association and the OMV Group jointly funded the said research.
