The UIC team’s method leverages a carbon-rich material known as biochar to reduce the electricity needed for water electrolysis—the process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. By using renewable energy sources such as solar power or wind and capturing byproducts for other uses, this approach can effectively bring greenhouse gas emissions down to net zero.
“We are the first group to show that you can produce hydrogen utilizing biomass at a fraction of a volt,” said Singh, an associate professor in the chemical engineering department. “This is a transformative technology.”