A group of researchers from the National University of Singapore have made a discovery that could potentially change the way water is broken down to release hydrogen gas.
The team, led by Associate Professor Xue Jun Min, Dr. Wang Xiaopeng and Dr.Vincent Lee Wee Siang from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering under the NUS College of Design and Engineering, discovered that light can cause a new mechanism in a catalyst. The method is more energy efficient.
The breakthrough was achieved with the help of Dr. Xi Shibo from the Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment.
There is a switch between metal and oxygen in the center of the reaction. A professor. The water electrolysis efficiency is improved by this.
New and more effective industrial methods of producing hydrogen can be opened up thanks to the new finding.
It's an association The paper detailing the discovery was published in the journal Nature.
There was an accidental breakthrough.
It's normal under normal circumstances. Prof. Xue and his team might not have been able to find such a breakthrough. Three years ago, an accidental power trip of the ceiling lights allowed them to observe something that the global scientific community has not yet been able to do.
There were ceiling lights in the building back then. The lab was usually on for 24 hours. There was a power trip that caused the lights to go off. The performance of the nickel oxyhydroxide-based material in the water electrolysis experiment fell dramatically when the researchers returned the next day.
Nobody has ever noticed a drop in performance because no one has ever done an experiment in the dark. A professor. Light shouldn't have any effect on the material's properties, according to literature.
The nickel-based material is a very common catalytic material, which is why it is well-researched. They needed to establish that they were on the verge of discovering a new thing. Prof. Xue and his team did a lot of different things. They learned more about the mechanics of the phenomenon. The experiment was repeated outside of Singapore to make sure it was consistent.
It's been three years. Prof. Xue and his team were able to present their findings in public.
Next step.
A new way to improve industrial processes to generate hydrogen is being designed. It's an association Prof. Xue wants to make the cells with water transparent so that light can be introduced into the water splitting process.
The process should be simpler using natural light. A professor. It is possible to produce more hydrogen in less time.
Food companies use hydrogen gas to make butter and margarine. The welding of metals can be done at a high temperature of 4,000 deg C with the help of hydrogen.
Hydrogen can be utilized as a fuel. Hydrogen fuel produces no emissions as it burns upon reacting with oxygen, making it a cleaner and green fuel source. It is more reliable because it is easier to store.
It's an association The findings from the team of researchers could contribute to scientific discovery. He thinks that the way to develop science is to push the boundaries of what has already been done.
accumulation of new knowledge is the only way to improve society. A professor.
More information: Xiaopeng Wang et al, Pivotal role of reversible NiO6 geometric conversion in oxygen evolution, Nature (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05296-7 Journal information: Nature
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