Making hydrogen in your backyard

Discussion in 'Science' started by Chris 33, Sep 24, 2011.

  1. Chris 33

    Chris 33 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2011
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Scientists say producing hydrogen in the backyard could be possible in future by "tweaking" an inexpensive semiconductor material, which could be available in commercial store, for generating hydrogen from water by using sunlight.

    "When the catalyst is properly manufactured, one could buy it in a commercial store for making hydrogen in his backyard," Professor Madhu Menon of the University of Kentucky told IBTimes.

    "The research should attract the interest of other scientists across a variety of disciplines. Photocatalysis is currently one of the hottest topics in science. We expect the present work to have a wide appeal in the community spanning chemistry, physics and engineering," Menon added.

    A research finding shows that an alloy formed by a two percent substitution of antimony (Sb) in gallium nitride (GaN) has the right electrical properties to enable solar energy to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

    According to another researcher, Professor Mahendra Sunkara of the University of Louisville Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research, the GaN-Sb alloy has the potential to convert solar energy into an economical, carbon-free source for hydrogen.

    "Hydrogen production now involves a large amount of CO2 emissions... Once this alloy material is widely available, it could conceivably be used to make zero-emissions fuel for powering homes and cars and to heat homes," said Sunkara.

    http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/207...ater-sunlight-oxygen-antimony-gallium-nit.htm
     
  2. politicalcenter

    politicalcenter Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2011
    Messages:
    11,101
    Likes Received:
    6,786
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Just put two electrodes in water and run "juice" through them. One negative and one positive. It will seperate the H from the O. We did it in seventh grade science. I don't remember which is hydrogen though.

    Mr Lee captured the hydrogen and put it in balloons and exploded them in class................HE WAS SO COOL!!!!!!
     
    Sallyally likes this.
  3. Chris 33

    Chris 33 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2011
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    This alloy requires NO ELECTRICITY, just sunlight.
     
  4. Chris 33

    Chris 33 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2011
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Researchers from the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville have collaborated to develop an alloy than can produce hydrogen from water using sunlight, a novel method that the researchers say has profound impacts for the future of solar energy and hydrogen production.

    A team led by Madhu Menon and R. Michael Sheetz at the University of Kentucky Center for Computational Sciences, together with Mahendra Sunkara and graduate student Chandrashekhar Pendyala at the University of Louisville Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research, developed an alloy that splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

    The developed alloy is formed by a 2 percent substitution of the metalloid antimony in gallium nitride, a semiconductor. This combination has the right electrical properties to enable a process called photoelectrochemical, or PEC, water splitting, which essentially splits the molecules of water into hydrogen and oxygen with exposure to sunlight.

    Researchers explained that when the alloy is immersed in water and is exposed to sunlight, the chemical bond between the hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water is broken. By breaking the molecules' bond, the hydrogen can then be collected.

    According to the researchers, the gallium nitride-antimony alloy is the first simple, easy-to-produce material to be considered a candidate for PEC water splitting. Since the alloy is not consumed during the reaction, it can be reused indefinitely. http://www.ecoseed.org/technology-a...s-team-up-to-develop-hydrogen-producing-alloy
     
  5. Mushroom

    Mushroom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2009
    Messages:
    12,494
    Likes Received:
    2,421
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    And some lines you did not quote.

    According to another researcher, Professor Mahendra Sunkara of the University of Louisville Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research, the GaN-Sb alloy has the potential to convert solar energy into an economical, carbon-free source for hydrogen.

    "Hydrogen production now involves a large amount of CO2 emissions... Once this alloy material is widely available, it could conceivably be used to make zero-emissions fuel for powering homes and cars and to heat homes," said Sunkara.

    The researchers are working on the production of the alloy and would test its ability to convert solar energy to hydrogen, the report says.


    In other words, at this time it is just a theory that has not even really been tested. Let's wait and see first and see if this even works. Then see what has to be done in order to actually manufacture the hydrogen.

    And no mention is made of where the water will come from. Generally for hydrogen production, distilled water is used in order to prevent clogging and contamination of the electical elements and container used for cracking the elements away. If this is the fuel of the future, where are we going to get the huge amounts of pure distilled water from?
     
  6. waltky

    waltky Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2009
    Messages:
    30,071
    Likes Received:
    1,204
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Germans test artificial sun...
    [​IMG]
    Let there be light: German scientists test 'artificial sun'

    Mar 23, 2017, Scientists in Germany flipped the switch Thursday on what's being described as "the world's largest artificial sun," a device they hope will help shed light on new ways of making climate-friendly fuels.
     
  7. waltky

    waltky Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2009
    Messages:
    30,071
    Likes Received:
    1,204
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell trucks are now moving goods around the Port of LA...
    [​IMG]
    Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell trucks are now moving goods around the Port of LA
    Oct 12, 2017 - The only emission is water vapor
     
  8. Moi621

    Moi621 Well-Known Member Past Donor

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2013
    Messages:
    19,292
    Likes Received:
    7,606
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    How efficient compared to "Solar - electric - hydrolysis - hydrogen"

    Measured against a sq foot of roof top.
    Which is better use of my roof top for hydrogen?
     

Share This Page