Progress toward less toxic, more affordable hydrogen photosynthesis

Researchers at INAC and Grenoble-Alpes University recently demonstrated that it is possible to efficiently produce hydrogen using artificial photosynthesis in solution without the need for toxic, expensive photosensitizing agents. The researchers used nanocrystals with a copper sulfide and indium core protected by a zinc and sulfur shell, plus a cobalt-based molecular catalyst.

They produced hydrogen more efficiently than with ruthenium-based photosensitizers (the leading type used for this purpose). Furthermore, the inorganic materials used can be recycled several times without any notable loss of activity. The research is ongoing to obtain the same reaction with even cheaper materials.

Contact: dmitry.aldakov@cea.fr

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