An international team of scientists has unveiled a groundbreaking method for producing green hydrogen that eliminates direct CO2 emissions at the source. Published in *Science*, the innovation extracts hydrogen from agricultural waste bioethanol with significantly lower energy consumption than traditional methods.
The process, developed in China and the UK, employs a bimetallic catalyst operating at 270°C, substantially below the 400-600°C required by conventional techniques. This drastically reduces energy demand and avoids carbon dioxide release as a byproduct. Instead, it yields acetic acid, a valuable chemical compound used in food, cleaning products, manufacturing, and medicine, with a global consumption exceeding 15 million tons annually.
Researchers from Peking University and Cardiff University emphasize that this discovery marks a milestone in transitioning to a more sustainable chemical industry by replacing fossil feedstocks with alternative carbon sources. Professor Ding Ma from Peking University noted the innovation is "very promising for boosting the green hydrogen economy and supporting global carbon neutrality goals."
Currently, 96% of global hydrogen production relies on fossil fuels, generating 9 to 12 tons of CO2 per ton of hydrogen, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This technology, the result of over a decade of research in metal carbide catalysts, could accelerate the green hydrogen economy and reduce carbon dependence in the industry.
Professor Graham Hutchings from Cardiff University highlighted the discovery's potential for key sectors: "By co-creating hydrogen and acetic acid, the technology could serve as a low-carbon alternative for industries such as acetate fiber manufacturing and pharmaceutical intermediate production in the future." This advancement signifies a paradigm shift in clean hydrogen production and reinforces the commitment to a circular economy model, where energy and high-value chemical production are achieved with minimal environmental impact.