Scientists make breakthrough for cheaper hydrogen

Low cost hydrogen fuel could be a step closer thanks to a discovery by scientists at Edinburgh University.

Researchers at the university have uncovered key details about the atomic structure of chemical catalysts that use light to split water molecules into their component parts-hydrogen and water.

The team hope that the finding will help them develop more efficient photocatalyts that can produce hydrogen for fuel from water. The new catalysts should be able to operate at a range of temperatures to make the production of hydrogen fuel cheaper and more dependable.
Hydrogen has great potential for use as a fuel source within the transport sector. It is hoped that some day, mass-produced hydrogen-fuelled cars will be able to offer the range similar to a conventional fossil-fuelled car but without the harmful emissions.

Currently fuel cell cars powered by hydrogen, face a number of issues before they can become more accepted, namely the production of hydrogen needs to become cheaper and more efficient and hydrogen refuelling networks would be needed to support their use.