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Hydrogen production from the air

Author

Listed:
  • Jining Guo

    (The University of Melbourne)

  • Yuecheng Zhang

    (The University of Melbourne)

  • Ali Zavabeti

    (The University of Melbourne)

  • Kaifei Chen

    (The University of Melbourne)

  • Yalou Guo

    (The University of Melbourne)

  • Guoping Hu

    (The University of Melbourne
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiaolei Fan

    (The University of Manchester
    Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute)

  • Gang Kevin Li

    (The University of Melbourne)

Abstract

Green hydrogen produced by water splitting using renewable energy is the most promising energy carrier of the low-carbon economy. However, the geographic mismatch between renewables distribution and freshwater availability poses a significant challenge to its production. Here, we demonstrate a method of direct hydrogen production from the air, namely, in situ capture of freshwater from the atmosphere using hygroscopic electrolyte and electrolysis powered by solar or wind with a current density up to 574 mA cm−2. A prototype of such has been established and operated for 12 consecutive days with a stable performance at a Faradaic efficiency around 95%. This so-called direct air electrolysis (DAE) module can work under a bone-dry environment with a relative humidity of 4%, overcoming water supply issues and producing green hydrogen sustainably with minimal impact to the environment. The DAE modules can be easily scaled to provide hydrogen to remote, (semi-) arid, and scattered areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Jining Guo & Yuecheng Zhang & Ali Zavabeti & Kaifei Chen & Yalou Guo & Guoping Hu & Xiaolei Fan & Gang Kevin Li, 2022. "Hydrogen production from the air," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32652-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32652-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Davide Tonelli & Lorenzo Rosa & Paolo Gabrielli & Ken Caldeira & Alessandro Parente & Francesco Contino, 2023. "Global land and water limits to electrolytic hydrogen production using wind and solar resources," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Hren, Robert & Vujanović, Annamaria & Van Fan, Yee & Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír & Krajnc, Damjan & Čuček, Lidija, 2023. "Hydrogen production, storage and transport for renewable energy and chemicals: An environmental footprint assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    4. Guo, Junyan & Gao, Ruihong & Tong, Zhaoming & Zhang, Haijun & Duan, Hongjuan & Huang, Liang & Lu, Lilin & Jia, Quanli & Zhang, Shaowei, 2023. "Three eagles with one arrow: Simultaneous production of hydrogen, aluminum ethoxide, and supported metal catalysts via efficient and facile reaction between aluminum and ethanol," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PD).
    5. Cheng, Fangwei & Luo, Hongxi & Jenkins, Jesse D. & Larson, Eric D., 2023. "The value of low- and negative-carbon fuels in the transition to net-zero emission economies: Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and cost assessments across multiple fuel types," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).

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