According to the news of the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the study by an international team of scientists revealed that the developed nanomaterial can be used in both fresh and salt water without the need for specific temperatures or pressure levels.
Since hydrogen does not pollute the environment and is seen as an energy storage tool of the future, experts in the study tried to convert water into hydrogen using sunlight.
In the study, scientists inspired by photosynthetic bacteria that can efficiently transfer energy from sunlight for the development of nanomaterial, and noted that these bacteria imitate the light sensor feature of these bacteria.
In this context, it was informed that the hydrogen obtained from water is aimed to be used in industrial products such as methanol and aldehyde and in the field of fuel.
David Lee Phillips, the leader of the study team from the University of Hong Kong, said in a statement that the team’s next step will be to create photocatalysis toolkits that can convert carbon dioxide into useful substances.
Arguing that the use of the developed nanomaterial under normal conditions is a “turning point” in solar energy research, Phillips said, “The nanomaterial is stable enough in natural waters. This is a great innovation because many things do not have the necessary stability in water for photocatalysis reactions.” made its assessment.
Guo Zhengxiao, another researcher from Hong Kong University, stated that another advantage of the nanomaterial system is that it can produce high-purity products, and that environmentally friendly and cost-effective products can be produced with this technology.
The research was published in the journal “Nature Catalysis.”
