University of Birmingham researchers have developed a method to produce hydrogen at lower temperatures using a perovskite catalyst. The research team has shown that thermochemical water-splitting can occur at temperatures between 150°C (302°F) and 500°C (932°F).

This represents a 500°C, or 900°F, reduction compared to existing methods. Standard thermochemical cycles typically require temperatures between 1300°C (2372°F) and 1500°C (2732°F) to regenerate the catalyst.

“The research, published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, showed the catalyst can produce substantial yields of hydrogen in a temperature range of 150-500°C, and be regenerated at temperatures between 700 and 1000°C,” said the team in a press release.

Professor Yulong Ding led the research team from the University’s School of Chemical Engineering. They identified a specific perovskite formulation called BNCF100, which is composed of barium, niobium, calcium, and iron. 

These materials are available, non-toxic, and do not require complex synthesis. The study confirmed that the catalyst remains stable and functional over ten production cycles. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the material undergoes very little structural change during the water-splitting process.

Addressing current production challenges

“The lower overall temperature of the process could enable hydrogen to be produced nearby renewable energy generation plants, and foundation industry sectors such as steel, cement, glass and chemicals have an abundance of waste heat, which could be harnessed as the heat input for low-temperature hydrogen production,” noted Professor Ding.

Producing hydrogen on-site reduces the need for the specialized infrastructure required for long-distance transport and storage, which often limits the use of hydrogen fuel.

“Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe but is relatively rare on earth in the form of pure hydrogen gas,” added the press release. “It is primarily found bound in other molecules, most commonly water and hydrocarbons such as natural gas containing mostly methane, coal or oil.”

To use it as a fuel, these molecules must be split into their constituent parts. While hydrogen produces no carbon emissions at the point of use, approximately 95% of current production relies on fossil fuels. 

Steam methane reforming accounts for nearly half of the global supply but produces carbon dioxide as a byproduct. Electrolysis is a cleaner method but currently provides only 4% of the supply because it is more expensive. 

“Photonic methods use light to drive the chemical conversion of water into hydrogen, but are in their infancy, and face significant challenges in efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness,” highlighted the press release.

Developing most viable method

A cost-competitiveness analysis suggests that water-splitting with this perovskite catalyst is less expensive than producing blue hydrogen from methane or green hydrogen through electrolysis. This economic advantage is most visible in regions with low renewable energy tariffs, such as Australia.

The research was a collaborative effort between the University of Birmingham and the University of Science and Technology Beijing. University of Birmingham Enterprise has filed a patent for the use of BNCF catalysts in low-temperature water-splitting. 

The university is now seeking industrial partners to advance the technology for use in the UK and Europe. The method is designed for both centralized production and local generation at industrial sites.

“Our research revealed a catalyst capable of producing substantial yields of hydrogen at relatively low temperatures, and a preliminary techno-economic study shows it is cost-effective compared to the established blue and green pathways for hydrogen production,” concluded Professor Ding.