Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new photocatalyst using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that efficiently produces hydrogen from sunlight and water, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based methods. The collaboration, led by Kyriakos Stylianou, created a photocatalyst with rapid and high-efficiency hydrogen production capabilities. The findings could contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
In the study, researchers used an MOF to generate a metal oxide heterojunction (RTTA) for making a catalyst that, when exposed to sunlight, efficiently splits water into hydrogen. RTTA consists of ruthenium oxide and titanium oxide doped with sulfur and nitrogen. They found the material with the least amount of ruthenium oxide, RTTA-1, produced the fastest hydrogen rate and a high quantum yield.
“The rapid activity of RTTA-1 is due to the synergistic effects of the metal oxides’ properties and surface properties from the parent MOF that enhance electron transfer,” said Stylianou.
Producing hydrogen through photocatalysis is cleaner than the conventional method using natural gas via methane-steam reforming, which produces CO2. Methane-steam reforming generates hydrogen at a cost of about $1.50 per kilogram compared to about $5 for green hydrogen.
“Water is an abundant source of hydrogen, and photocatalysis offers a method to harness the Earth’s abundant solar energy for hydrogen production,” said Stylianou. While ruthenium oxide is not cheap, the amount used in their photocatalyst is minimal. The study highlights the potential of MOF-derived metal oxide heterojunctions as photocatalysts for practical hydrogen production.
However, producing and storing hydrogen remains a challenge due to its difficulty in storage and keeping it stable. Advanced storage methods are being developed.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-develop-extraordinary-material-that-can-transform-sunlight-and-water-into-clean-energy/