Researchers around the world are looking for ways to produce hydrogen in a way that is sustainable, cost-effective, and does not emit greenhouse gases. And now, a team of scientists has developed a new catalyst that could make low-cost and energy-efficient production of hydrogen possible.
One promising solution is cobalt, a new catalyst composed of elements that are abundant in the Earth.
The new catalyst is abundant on the Earth, making it a potentially viable solution to the problem of producing environmentally safe hydrogen. The process involves the use of water as the source of hydrogen, which is then split into its component elements using electrolysis.
Up until now, the catalysts used in the process have been expensive metals such as platinum, which has made hydrogen production prohibitively expensive.
Cobalt, a chemical element with the atomic number of 27, belongs to the group of transition metals. It is widely used in the manufacturing of rechargeable batteries, ceramics, and paints.
The production of hydrogen is not new, but it requires a lot of energy, making it costly and unsustainable. The use of cobalt as a catalyst can change that, as it has shown to be more efficient and cost-effective.
Cobalt can speed up the process of electrolysis, which breaks up water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, without the need for high temperatures or pressures.
What sets cobalt apart is that it is composed of elements that are abundant in the Earth, unlike platinum, which is rare and expensive. This makes cobalt a potentially viable solution for the production of environmentally safe hydrogen.
Recent statistics suggest that global demand for hydrogen will increase to 450 million metric tons by 2040. This new innovation could help to meet that demand while reducing the environmental impact of the hydrogen production process.
The team responsible for this breakthrough hopes that their work will help to further the development of hydrogen-fueled vehicles and other eco-friendly technologies.
With more research and development, we may soon see a future where hydrogen is a widely used, sustainable, and cost-effective energy source.
Edited by Zeng Han-Jun
Written by Juliana Rodriguez
Terra Link Research 