The researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur have developed lanthanides-based perovskite nanocomposite catalytic materials for artificial photosynthesis to produce high-purity hydrogen.
In the patented method, the researchers used natural sunlight to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen using a highly recyclable catalyst based on low-cost, simple transition metal. The team has now developed a series of catalysts that can efficiently produce hydrogen under ambient conditions. The end application of this research lies in the industries, automobile and energy sectors.
In a statement, IIT Jodhpur said that hydrogen-based energy is the only viable source for a green and sustainable future. More than 90 per cent of the source of hydrogen is from petroleum feedstock, making it costly and out of reach of the common man. IIT Jodhpur’s research team, led by Principal Investigator Dr Rakesh K Sharma, is working to find a viable source of hydrogen generation. The technology developed by the IIT Jodhpur team does not need any external energy source except sunlight.
The team screened more than 100 catalyst combinations to develop five sets of catalysts that give high hydrogen production under sunlight. The catalysts work for wastewater, saline water and brackish water. The catalysts are recyclable and can be used multiple times.
