Hydrogel nanocomposite enables mass hydrogen production.

A research team at the Institute for Basic Science in Seoul has developed a new photocatalytic platform for the mass production of hydrogen. The floatable photocatalytic matrix has a bilayer structure, which consists of an upper photocatalytic layer and a lower supporting layer. The platform is fabricated in the form of cryo aerogel, a solid substance filled with gas inside, exhibiting low density. The platform exhibits clear advantages in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction, and the scalability of the platform was also demonstrated under natural sunlight.