Researchers in China and Singapore have developed a novel solar‑driven process that uses sugars from biomass to produce green hydrogen while also generating valuable chemical co‑products, potentially reducing the cost of clean hydrogen production.
The method, reported in the journal eScience, integrates sunlight with a membrane‑free co‑electrolysis system that simultaneously oxidises biomass‑derived glucose and splits water.
This dual reaction produces hydrogen and formate, a useful chemical, in one step. Using biomass sugars in place of the energy‑intensive oxygen evolution reaction typically required in water electrolysis lowers the energy input needed, improving overall efficiency.
A central innovation is a catalyst made from copper‑modified cobalt oxyhydroxide. This material steers the oxidation of glucose toward formate with high selectivity, helping reduce the electrical potential needed for the reaction and supporting hydrogen production rates above 500 micromoles per hour per square centimetre under sunlight.
The system is powered by a multi‑junction photovoltaic device and operates without a separating membrane, which simplifies design and could cut costs compared with conventional electrolysers.
Converting low‑cost sugars derived from non‑food biomass — such as agricultural waste cellulose — into both hydrogen and valuable chemicals may make the approach especially attractive for future sustainable energy systems.
Although still at an early stage of development, this solar‑biomass co‑electrolysis strategy highlights a promising route to lower‑cost, low‑carbon hydrogen that leverages renewable energy and agricultural residues.
Biomass sugars could drive cheaper green hydrogen
