Novel catalyst offers to make hydrogen more viable as a fuel
- April 2, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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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.