Sunlight and seawater power new hydrogen breakthrough at CSIR-IICT

Scientists at the Hyderabad-based CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) have taken a significant step towards converting sunlight and seawater into clean hydrogen fuel by developing a low-cost copper-based photocatalyst that could reduce reliance on expensive precious metals and make green hydrogen production more affordable.

Hydrogen is widely regarded as a clean fuel of the future because it can generate energy without producing carbon emissions. The research team, led by scientist Ujjwal Pal and research scholar Bhavya Jaksani, investigated a copper-titanium dioxide photocatalyst and found that its structure continuously evolves during the reaction process. Under sunlight, both copper and titanium sites change their oxidation states, enhancing the catalyst’s ability to produce hydrogen.