Scientists just found a new way to make hydrogen from water

Researchers at Oregon State University have created a new class of materials that can use light to produce hydrogen from water, offering a potentially cleaner way to convert solar energy into fuel.

The work was led by Kyriakos Stylianou of the OSU College of Science. His team developed a photocatalyst capable of producing hydrogen quickly and efficiently. Hydrogen is widely used in fuel cells for vehicles, as well as in the production of ammonia, metal refining, and plastics manufacturing.

Using Light To Speed Up Chemical Reactions

A catalyst is a substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without being permanently changed in the process, Stylianou said. A photocatalyst works in a similar way but is activated by light. After absorbing light, the material reaches a higher energy state and can use that energy to drive chemical reactions more rapidly.