Researchers at the University of Central Florida have pioneered a nanoscale material that can effectively split seawater into oxygen and clean fuels.
The extraction of hydrogen from seawater can solve many of the environmental problems associated with burning fossil fuels. The problem is that today there are no technologies for extracting hydrogen fuel from the sea. In an attempt to solve the problem, American scientists have created an innovative nanomaterial using electrolysis.
As you know, this process requires significant energy consumption and also requires efficient catalysts. However, the new study authors are confident that the new nanoscale material will increase the efficiency of splitting seawater into oxygen and hydrogen. In turn, this will contribute to the popularity of the use of environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel.
Yang Yang, associate professor at the UCF NanoScience Technology Center, said that this is a thin-film material with nanostructures of nickel selenide and other substances. The combination makes it possible to obtain the qualities required for catalysts used in industrial electrolysis.
The authors of the technology explain that the productivity of the new catalyst is much higher than the existing analogs. The technology also meets the strictest safety standards. The commercialization of such catalysts will make the production of hydrogen fuel from seawater much cheaper. In turn, this will help humanity to switch to green energy.
