Room temperature synthesis of novel catalysts for water splitting under sunlight

What is it about?

The use of sunlight to split water is a clean way to make hydrogen. Catalysts are used to speed up this process and make it viable. Semiconductors containing inorganic compounds have mainly been used as catalysts. Now, hybrid materials that contain both inorganic and organic parts have become popular as they improve the water splitting process. One such class of mixed catalysts is metal organic frameworks (MOFs). They contain metals and organic compounds. Among them, cerium (Ce) based MOFs are attractive due to their low cost and high stability in water. But preparing them at room temperature has been difficult. This study introduced a way to produce Ce(ɪᴠ) MOFs at room temperature without the need for harmful chemicals. The authors prepared a catalyst material called Ce-UiO-66-NH2. They found it to be effective at splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. The deposition of platinum nanoparticles onto the Ce(ɪᴠ) MOF further enhanced its ability to produce hydrogen.

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Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Hydrogen is a clean fuel that produces water upon combustion. When combined with other renewable energy sources, it can help us move away from fossil fuels. Hydrogen gas can be used as a fuel in vehicles. It can also be used in fuel cells to produce electricity, which can be stored for later use. The method for producing highly efficient and reusable Ce-UiO-66-NH2 can pave the way for sustainable and economical hydrogen production. KEY TAKEAWAY: This study presents a room temperature method for producing novel Ce(ɪᴠ) MOF catalysts for hydrogen production. The method is water based and avoids harmful chemicals. It may be scaled up to increase the production of catalysts. This could open the doors to a future with hydrogen as the major energy carrier. This research relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure • SDG 13: Climate Action