Japanese Scientists Create Hydrogen Fuel from Sunlight and Water

Japanese Scientists Create Hydrogen Fuel from Sunlight and Water

Scientists from Japan have created a reactor that can produce hydrogen fuel from two components: water and sunlight. The area of the device is 100 sq.m.

Splitting water molecules into their components is aided by photocatalysis - a process in which light is used to accelerate chemical reactions with the help of catalysts, such as titanium dioxide. After separation, hydrogen can be used as fuel. According to Professor of Chemistry from Shinshu University in Japan and one of the authors of the study, Kazunari Domen, water splitting using photocatalysts is the perfect technology for converting and storing solar energy.

Currently, there are mainly "one-step" catalysts that decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen at once. But they are inefficient, since most of the hydrogen fuel has to be "cleaned" with natural gas. Scientists have solved this problem and minimized the amount of fossil raw materials in the fuel creation process. The researchers developed a photocatalyst that allowed them to separate oxygen first, and then hydrogen. Its appearance was the reason for the construction of a prototype of a new reactor for the production of hydrogen fuel. It has been working for three years.

What prevents scaling of the technology

The technology still needs to be refined. Japanese chemists note that it is necessary to direct their efforts to the development of more efficient photocatalysts. If they are created, then the production of hydrogen fuel will become economically feasible.

"If it is possible to more efficiently convert solar energy into chemical energy, then researchers will be able to develop mass production technologies and gas separation processes at large plants. This will accelerate the development of infrastructure, laws and regulations related to the use of solar resources," Kazunari Domen summarized.