Nature-based devices to produce hydrogen for energy markets
H2 is the most abundant element in the Universe. The prospects of using pure H2 as an energy carrier are behind the idea of a future H2 economy. Burning H2 with oxygen yields water and heat that can be used to do mechanical work. H2 can also be used to generate electricity with a fuel cell. Unfortunately, H2 is not naturally occurring on Earth and must be synthesised. The enzyme Photosystem II (PSII) enables leaves of plants to split water into oxygen and H2 in the presence of sunlight at room temperature. Scientists investigated if an artificial device using PSII or PSII-like chemical can produce reasonable amounts of H2 with EU funding of the project SOLHYDROMICS. The target was 10 % conversion of solar energy into pure H2. The second and final SOLHYDROMICS prototype was based on mimics rather than the natural enzyme as in the first prototype. It was capable of 1 % efficiency with limited deactivation over a 1-day period. Although below target values, performance was dramatically improved with respect to the first project prototype. Insight obtained points the way to promising future developments and a number of potential applications. This includes a photochemical reactor for digestion of organic waste or reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to methanol. Scientists shared results through nine scientific articles and submitted a patent application for the technology developed. Exploiting nature's ability to produce pure H2 is a promising way to increase the availability of this potentially important energy carrier. Insight gained through activities of SOLHYDROMICS scientists may pave the way to doing just that.
