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Innovative Process Combines Photocatalysis and Vegetal Biomass to Create a Clean and Efficient Alternative in the Production of Green Hydrogen
Researchers from South Korea have developed an innovative method to produce hydrogen from solar light and sugarcane waste.
The new technique generates four times more hydrogen than the current commercialization standard in the United States.
The advancement was led by Professors Seungho Cho and Kwanyong Seo from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST, in partnership with the team of Professor Ji-Wook Jang from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the same university.
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New Approach with Biomass
The technology combines biomass extracted from sugarcane with silicon photoelectrodes.
The process eliminates the use of natural gas, avoiding carbon dioxide emissions.
This represents a significant leap towards the sustainable production of hydrogen, considered a clean fuel with high energy density — 2.7 times greater than gasoline.
The raw material used is furfural, a compound obtained from sugarcane waste. When oxidized at the copper electrode, it not only generates hydrogen but also transforms into furic acid.
This byproduct has high value in the chemical sector, adding even more importance to the process.
Two Electrodes, Doubled Production
The developed system is of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) type and produces hydrogen at two electrodes. On one side, furfural is oxidized.
On the other, crystalline silicon splits water, releasing more hydrogen. This simultaneous production increases the efficiency of the process.
The recorded rate was 1.4 mmol per square centimeter per hour — nearly four times more than the 0.36 mmol/cm²·h established by the U.S. Department of Energy.
This high efficiency is a direct result of the action of silicon photoelectrodes. They generate many electrons when exposed to sunlight.
The challenge was that this structure generates a very low voltage, only 0.6 volts. This made it difficult to initiate the reaction without external help.
Solution for the Voltage
To overcome this obstacle, the scientists integrated the reaction of furfural into the system. This oxidation helped balance the internal voltage, eliminating the need for external power sources.
This made it possible to maintain a high photocurrent density and ensure continuous hydrogen production.
Photocurrent is the technical term that describes the flow of electrons generated by light. The higher this current, the more efficient the hydrogen production. In the case of this system, it remained stable during testing.
Efficiency and Protection
Another important technical detail was the use of a structure called IBC, which stands for “interdigitated back contact.” This architecture reduces electrical losses within the photoelectrode.
To protect the components from contact with the electrolyte — a substance used to conduct electric current in the system — the researchers wrapped the electrode in layers of glass and nickel foil.
Furthermore, the electrode was submerged in water, which ensured a self-cooling effect. This detail further increased the stability and durability of the system compared to other methods, where the components that generate energy and those that produce hydrogen are separated.
Published Results
The research was published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, a reference in technological innovation. According to Professor Ji-Wook Jang, the new technology could reduce the cost of green hydrogen, making it more competitive compared to that produced with fossil fuels.
The innovation paves the way for cleaner and more viable forms of energy production. The combination of solar light and agricultural waste represents a promising alternative to accelerate the global energy transition.
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