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Innovative process combines photocatalysis and plant biomass to create a clean and efficient alternative for producing green hydrogen
Researchers in South Korea have developed an innovative method to produce hydrogen from sunlight and sugarcane waste.
The new technique generates four times more hydrogen than the current US commercial standard.
The breakthrough was led by Professors Seungho Cho and Kwanyong Seo from UNIST's School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, in partnership with Professor Ji-Wook Jang's team 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 sugar cane with silicon photoelectrodes.
The process eliminates the use of natural gas, avoiding the emission of carbon dioxide.
This represents an important leap towards the sustainable production of hydrogen, considered a clean fuel with high energy density — 2,7 times greater than that of gasoline.
The raw material used is furfural, a compound obtained from sugarcane waste. When oxidized in the copper electrode, it not only generates hydrogen, but also transforms into furoic acid.
This by-product has high value in the chemical sector, adding even more importance to the process.
Two electrodes, double output
The system developed is of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) type and produces hydrogen in two electrodes. On one side, furfural is oxidized.
On the other hand, 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 higher than the 0,36 mmol/cm²·h established by the US 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, just 0,6 volts. This made it difficult to start the reaction without external help.
Solution for tension
To overcome this obstacle, scientists integrated the furfural reaction into the system. This oxidation helped balance the internal tension, eliminating the need for external energy sources.
Thus, it was possible to maintain high photocurrent density and ensure continuous hydrogen production.
Photocurrent is the technical term that describes the flow of electrons generated by light. The higher the current, the more efficient the hydrogen production. In the case of this system, it remained stable during the tests.
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 — the substance used to conduct electrical 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 can reduce the cost of green hydrogen, making it more competitive in relation to that produced with fossil fuels.
Innovation paves the way for cleaner and more viable forms of energy production. The combination of sunlight and agricultural waste represents a promising alternative to accelerate the global energy transition.
