When it comes to a pollution-free future, the term "green hydrogen" frequently comes up. This is hydrogen produced in an environmentally friendly way, usually by splitting water using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric power.
Until now, producing green hydrogen has relied on purified water, a scarce resource that makes up less than three per cent of the Earth’s total water. However, a Bengali scientist has now demonstrated a method that could overcome this limitation, potentially making green hydrogen production more sustainable and accessible.
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Producing hydrogen directly from seawater
45-year-old Shoubhik Das and his team have developed a method to produce hydrogen directly from seawater instead of pure water. Speaking by phone from Bayreuth, Germany, Shoubhik explained that even when hydrogen is produced using renewable energy, relying on pure water causes significant strain. He said that since 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, most of which is seawater, their effort focused on finding a way to use seawater for hydrogen production.
Earlier, the team had succeeded in producing hydrogen peroxide from seawater. This time, they have produced hydrogen from seawater using sunlight, employing a catalyst made from nickel. According to Shoubhik, this method genuinely fits the definition of "green hydrogen," as it relies on renewable energy while also conserving comparatively scarce pure water by using seawater instead. Their research paper was recently published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Cost-effective and durable technology
This method also reduces the cost of hydrogen production. Previously, seawater had to be transported from the coast to plants for purification, which added expenses. Shoubhik added that in this process, oxygen is generated as a byproduct and can also be put to use.
Shoubhik, who spent his childhood in Payradanga, Nadia, studied Chemistry at Presidency College and went abroad in 2006. He worked in England, Germany, Switzerland and then returned to Germany. He is currently a scientist in the Chemistry Department at the University of Bayreuth. He explained that the biggest challenge in producing green hydrogen through this process was developing a suitable catalyst, as most materials corrode quickly when exposed to seawater.
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However, he noted that the nickel-based catalyst developed by his team does not corrode. Their published paper states that this catalyst lasts for 720 hours. 140 hours under irradiation and 580 hours at rest.
Shoubhik and his team hope that hydrogen produced in this manner will help decarbonise the energy, transport, and industrial sectors, enabling the world to move closer to becoming pollution-free.
