Scientists at UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology) have found an exciting new way to produce clean hydrogen fuel, using only sunlight and waste from sugarcane.
Led by Professors Seungho Cho, Kwanyong Seo, and Ji-Wook Jang, the team has created a technology that produces hydrogen at a rate four times higher than the U.S. Department of Energy’s commercialization target.
Their groundbreaking research was recently published in Nature Communications.
Hydrogen is considered one of the most promising fuels for the future because it doesn’t release greenhouse gases when burned and can store much more energy than gasoline.
However, today’s hydrogen production mostly relies on natural gas, which still causes a lot of carbon emissions. This new method could offer a much cleaner alternative.
The team developed a special system called a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell that makes hydrogen without producing any carbon dioxide.
It uses furfural, a chemical made from sugarcane waste, as part of the reaction.
Inside the system, furfural is broken down at a copper electrode, producing hydrogen and a valuable byproduct called furoic acid. Meanwhile, on the other side of the system, a silicon photoelectrode splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, adding even more hydrogen to the output.
This double hydrogen production is a major step forward. The system achieved a production rate of 1.4 millimoles per square centimeter per hour, nearly four times the Department of Energy’s goal of 0.36 millimoles.
One big challenge in using silicon to generate hydrogen is that it doesn’t naturally create enough voltage to start the reaction. To solve this, the team cleverly added the furfural oxidation reaction, which helps balance the voltage and keeps the system running without needing extra electricity.
This approach also maintains a high flow of electrons, which is essential for efficient hydrogen production.
The team further boosted efficiency by using a smart design called an interdigitated back contact (IBC) structure, which reduces energy loss. They also wrapped the electrodes in protective layers of nickel foil and glass to shield them from the chemical reactions happening in the system, making the setup more stable over time.
An added bonus is that the system cools itself by being submerged in water, which helps it perform better than setups that keep the power source and hydrogen production separate.
Professor Jang emphasized the importance of this achievement, saying the technology could make solar hydrogen much more affordable and competitive with hydrogen produced from fossil fuels.
This innovation brings us one step closer to a cleaner, greener energy future powered by the sun and agricultural waste.
