Scientists from Peking University in China and Cardiff University in the UK have developed a new hydrogen production method that eliminates direct carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions while producing acetic acid, a high-value industrial chemical.
The process uses a bimetallic catalyst to react bioethanol, sourced from agricultural waste, with water at 270C. This is significantly lower than the 400C to 600C typically required in conventional hydrogen production using steam methane reforming, which is energy-intensive and puts out large amounts of CO2.
Instead of emitting CO2, the process also makes acetic acid, a widely used industrial chemical with an annual global consumption exceeding 15 million tonnes.
Acetic acid is a key industrial chemical used in plastics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, food preservation, and manufacturing processes
“By co-creating the two chemicals in tandem, the innovation could serve as a low-carbon alternative for industries such as acetate fibre manufacturing and pharmaceutical intermediaries,” said Graham Hutchings, Regius Professor Chemistry at Cardiff University.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), around 96% of global hydrogen production still relies on fossil fuels, emitting 9 to 12 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of hydrogen.
The study builds on more than a decade of research into metal-carbide catalysts for hydrogen production. The researchers say the process could help establish a circular economy model by replacing fossil feedstocks with biomass-derived sources.
