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Longer-lasting and more sustainable green hydrogen production

Researchers at RIKEN have improved the stability of a green hydrogen production process by using a custom-made catalyst, increasing its lifetime by almost 4,000 times. The breakthrough uses earth-abundant materials, making it more sustainable and potentially cost-effective for widespread industrial use.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Catalysis·DateApr 26, 2024

Sandia studies subterranean storage of hydrogen

Researchers found that hydrogen can be stored in depleted oil and gas reservoirs without getting stuck, as long as the rock is properly sealed. The study also showed that residual natural gas can be released from the rock into the hydrogen when injected, making it a potentially viable option for seasonal and long-term storage.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 9, 2024

Evolving hydrogen-storage technology: guidelines developed for the design of anti-evaporation catalysts

A research team identified manganese oxide and cobalt oxide as effective catalysts for accelerating ortho-to-para conversion of molecular hydrogen. The study provides guidelines for designing anti-evaporation catalysts, which are crucial for long-distance hydrogen transportation.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalExploration·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2024

Efficiently moving urea out of polluted water is coming to reality

Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have developed a material to selectively oxidize urea in water, producing hydrogen gas. The material, made of nickel and cobalt atoms with tailored electronic structures, enables the efficient conversion of urea into hydrogen through an electrochemical reaction.

SourceWorcester Polytechnic Institute·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2024

Revolutionizing stable and efficient catalysts with Turing structures for hydrogen production

Researchers from City University of Hong Kong developed a novel strategy to engineer stable and efficient ultrathin nanosheet catalysts using Turing structures. This approach effectively resolves the instability problem associated with low-dimensional materials in catalytic systems, enabling efficient and long-lasting hydrogen production.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024

New material allows for better hydrogen-based batteries and fuel cells

Researchers have developed a solid electrolyte that allows for efficient hydride ion conduction at room temperature, enabling the creation of safer, more efficient hydrogen-based batteries and fuel cells. This breakthrough provides material design guidelines for the development of next-generation energy storage solutions.

SourceRIKEN·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateDec 21, 2023

A PEM fuel cell inspired by the structure of a lung

Researchers at the University of Seville have developed a bioinspired PEM fuel cell design that improves the distribution of liquid water inside these batteries. This approach has the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and durability of PEM fuel cells, leading to more efficient and sustainable energy systems.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalElectrochimica Acta·DateDec 19, 2023

Syngas photocatalysis made easy

Researchers have developed a novel photocatalyst system that enables the production of syngas from methane steam reforming under atmospheric pressure. The system harnesses sunlight to split methane and water into hydrogen and carbon monoxide, forming syngas.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateNov 21, 2023

GIST researchers improve water splitting reaction for green hydrogen gas production

Researchers from GIST have developed a new electrode using Schottky junctions to overcome the conductance limit of active catalysts, achieving high-performance water splitting and hydrogen evolution reactions. The electrode demonstrated remarkable current density and durability during continuous operation for 10 days.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalApplied Catalysis B Environment and Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2023

Ammonia fuel offers great benefits but demands careful action

Researchers at Princeton University found that an ammonia economy can help achieve decarbonization goals, but it poses risks if not managed properly. The widespread use of ammonia could lead to significant emissions of nitrous oxide and nitrogen oxides, affecting air quality, water quality, and ecosystems.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 13, 2023

New catalyst could provide liquid hydrogen fuel of the future

Researchers at Lund University have demonstrated a method for converting isopropanol into hydrogen using a solid catalyst, paving the way for a liquid fuel that can be delivered at a pump. The process has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and could be used in larger vehicles such as buses and aircraft.

SourceLund University·JournalCatalysis Science & Technology·DateOct 12, 2023

Predictive model could improve hydrogen station availability

A new predictive model could help reduce unscheduled maintenance at hydrogen stations, increasing availability and consumer confidence. The model uses prognostics health monitoring to predict component failures and estimate remaining useful life, allowing station operators to schedule maintenance when demand is low.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 19, 2023

Ammonia as a carbon-free hydrogen carrier for fuel cells: a perspective

Researchers discuss the potential of using ammonia as a hydrogen carrier for on-site power generation via ammonia decomposition. The high hydrogen content (17.6 wt%) and low toxicity make it an attractive alternative to traditional hydrogen storage methods, but challenges such as leakage and toxicity need to be addressed.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 8, 2023

New photocatalytic system converts carbon dioxide to valuable fuel more efficiently than natural photosynthesis

A joint research team from City University of Hong Kong and collaborators developed a stable artificial photocatalytic system that mimics natural chloroplasts to convert carbon dioxide into methane, a valuable fuel, very efficiently using light. The new system achieved a highly efficient solar-to-fuel efficiency rate of 15%, surpassing...

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2023

Solar hydrogen: Barriers for charge transport in metal oxides

Researchers investigated the diffusion lengths of charge carriers in metal oxides and found that they are poorly understood. The study analyzed ten metal oxide compounds and found that their mobilities were very low compared to conventional semiconductors. However, heat treatment improved mobility in some materials.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 12, 2023

New recipes for better solar fuel production

A team of researchers from China and the UK has developed new ways to optimise the production of solar fuels by creating novel photocatalysts. These photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide with boron nitride, can absorb more wavelengths of light and produce more hydrogen compared to traditional methods.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalApplied Surface Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2023

Probe where the protons go to develop better fuel cells

A team led by Professor Yoshihiro Yamazaki from Kyushu University discovered the chemical innerworkings of a perovskite-based electrolyte developed for solid oxide fuel cells. By combining synchrotron radiation analysis, large-scale simulations, machine learning, and thermogravimetric analysis, they found that protons are introduced at...

SourceKyushu University·JournalChemistry of Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

Novel protective layer for catalysts developed by GIST scientists improves life and performance

A team of researchers from GIST created a protection layer for nickel-iron catalysts using tetraphenylporphyrin, increasing their life and performance. This innovation reduces the dissolution of iron atoms during oxygen evolution reactions, resulting in prolonged hydrogen production.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2023

Good vibrations turbo charge green hydrogen production

Engineers at RMIT University have developed a method to boost green hydrogen production through electrolysis by up to 14 times using high-frequency vibrations. This innovation tackles the high cost of electrode materials and eliminates the need for corrosive electrolytes, making it cheaper and more efficient.

SourceRMIT University·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 12, 2022

Catalyzing clean energy

Researchers at Lehigh University have secured $13.2 million in funding to improve hydrogen generation and carbon capture/sequestration technologies through a partnership with Georgia Tech's UNCAGE-ME Center. The goal is to develop catalysts that can mitigate the degradation of these technologies in real-world conditions.

Novel multi-proton carrier complex as efficient proton conductor at high temperatures

A team of researchers from Tokyo University of Science has developed a novel multi-proton carrier complex that shows efficient proton conductivity even at high temperatures. The resulting starburst-type metal complex acts as a proton transmitter, making it 6 times more potent than individual imidazole molecules.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2022

Chung-Ang University researchers develop novel heterostructure catalyst for effective hydrogen generation from water splitting

Scientists at Chung-Ang University have created a new catalyst that can efficiently generate hydrogen from water without the need for expensive noble metals. The innovative heterostructured material boosts both the half-reactions, improving its overall performance and paving the way for large-scale industrial applications.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 13, 2022

New tech aims to drive down costs of hydrogen fuel

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new technique for extracting hydrogen gas from liquid carriers, making it faster, less expensive and more energy efficient. The new method uses sunlight and a reusable photocatalyst to release hydrogen molecules, reducing the need for rhodium and lowering production costs.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalChemSusChem·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2022