In a major leap for green hydrogen innovation, scientists at Sweden’s Linköping University have developed a triple-layered material that enhances solar-driven hydrogen production by 800%, marking a significant step toward clean fuel alternatives for hard-to-electrify sectors like aviation and shipping.

Published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the study showcases a novel photocatalyst combining cubic silicon carbide, cobalt oxide, and nickel hydroxide. When exposed to sunlight, this layered material efficiently splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, overcoming a longstanding challenge in solar hydrogen generation: charge recombination.

Green hydrogen—produced by splitting water using renewable energy—is widely considered essential to decarbonising sectors where batteries fall short. However, current materials used for photochemical water splitting achieve modest efficiencies of just 1–3%. The target for commercial viability is around 10%.

The new structure significantly improves charge separation and maximises the use of solar energy for hydrogen generation. By isolating and understanding the contribution of each layer, the team was able to design a catalyst that dramatically outperforms pure 3C-SiC.

Currently, the vast majority of hydrogen produced globally is “grey,” derived from fossil fuels and responsible for large carbon emissions. In contrast, “green” hydrogen emits no CO₂ if generated entirely using renewable energy. Yet, the cost and energy demands of current methods often involving solar or wind-powered electrolysis—remain barriers to widespread adoption.

Sun’s team aims to develop a standalone solar-driven system, eliminating the need for electricity inputs and drastically reducing costs. With further research and refinement, they believe they can hit the 10% efficiency mark within the next five to ten years.

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Sunlight Catalyst Supercharges Green Hydrogen by 800% | Fuel Cells Works