Optimize IAS
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Courses
    • Prelims Test Series
      • LAQSHYA 2026 Prelims Mentorship
    • Mains Mentorship
      • Arjuna 2026 Mains Mentorship
  • Portal Login
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Courses
    • Prelims Test Series
      • LAQSHYA 2026 Prelims Mentorship
    • Mains Mentorship
      • Arjuna 2026 Mains Mentorship
  • Portal Login

Novel catalyst offers to make hydrogen more viable as a fuel

  • April 2, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
No Comments

 

 

Novel catalyst offers to make hydrogen more viable as a fuel

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Msc

Concept :

  • Researchers at IIT Mandi have developed a novel carbon-based catalyst to make water electrolysis more efficient.
  • Water electrolysis is the process of choice to produce ‘green hydrogen ‘thus making it more significant.

Water electrolysis:

  • In water electrolysis, water molecules are split into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity inside a device called an electrolyser. However, this process consumes a lot of electrical energy.

Findings

  • A new study has reported a porous carbon material containing nitrogen that functions both as a catalyst and as the anode in electrolyser units – and could substitute the metal-based catalysts.
  • The researchers produced this material, called ‘laser carbon’, by exposing a sheet of a polymer called polyimide to a laser beam, which carbonised the exposed bits, leaving the remainder rich in nitrogen.
  • Advantages of the new catalyst:
  • Laser carbon is “highly power efficient”, cheaper to produce, has a simpler synthesis technique, and “can be batch-manufactured with a laser”.

Hydrogen as Fuel

  • Hydrogen is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, flammable gaseous substance.
  • It is a promising energy carrier, which has the potential to address several energy sector-related challenges.
  • It has the potential to substitute conventional fuels and reduce CO2 related emissions significantly at the point of use.
  • Further, if green hydrogen is used as fuel, then there is the capability to decarbonize the entire value chain, enabling reduced emissions and climate change threats.

Type of Hydrogen

  • Grey Hydrogen :
    • It constitutes India’s bulk production and is extracted from hydrocarbons (fossil fuels, natural gas).
    • It gives CO2 as by product
  • Blue Hydrogen :
    • It is also sourced from fossil fuels.
    • However, emissions/ by-products (CO, CO2) are captured and stored.
    • Thus, it is better than grey hydrogen
  • Green Hydrogen :
    • It is generated from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
    • The electricity splits water into hydrogen and Oxygen.
    • It gives water and water vapour as by-products.
    • Thus, it is the best and cleanest type.
Novel catalyst offers to make hydrogen more viable as a fuel Science and tech

Recent Posts

  • Daily Prelims Notes 23 March 2025 March 23, 2025
  • Challenges in Uploading Voting Data March 23, 2025
  • Fertilizers Committee Warns Against Under-Funding of Nutrient Subsidy Schemes March 23, 2025
  • Tavasya: The Fourth Krivak-Class Stealth Frigate Launched March 23, 2025
  • Indo-French Naval Exercise Varuna 2024 March 23, 2025
  • No Mismatch Between Circulating Influenza Strains and Vaccine Strains March 23, 2025
  • South Cascade Glacier March 22, 2025
  • Made-in-India Web Browser March 22, 2025
  • Charting a route for IORA under India’s chairship March 22, 2025
  • Mar-a-Lago Accord and dollar devaluation March 22, 2025

About

If IAS is your destination, begin your journey with Optimize IAS.

Hi There, I am Santosh I have the unique distinction of clearing all 6 UPSC CSE Prelims with huge margins.

I mastered the art of clearing UPSC CSE Prelims and in the process devised an unbeatable strategy to ace Prelims which many students struggle to do.

Contact us

moc.saiezimitpo@tcatnoc

For More Details

Work with Us

Connect With Me

Course Portal
Search