In a significant leap toward sustainable energy, researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, have developed a novel, cost-effective, metal-free porous organic catalyst for efficient green hydrogen (H₂) production using mechanical energy. This breakthrough, published in Advanced Functional Materials, supports India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched by the Government of India to promote large-scale H₂ production and establish the country as a global leader in the hydrogen economy.
The Need for Green Hydrogen
With global warming intensifying due to fossil fuel use, transitioning to renewable energy is critical. Green hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel that produces only water as a by-product in fuel cells, is a game-changer for sustainable energy. The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to drive innovation and scale H₂ production, targeting 5 million metric tonnes annually by 2030, reducing carbon emissions and supporting India’s Net Zero by 2070 goal.
Piezocatalysis: A Sustainable Approach
Among various H₂ production methods, overall water splitting is an environmentally benign and scalable technique. Piezocatalysis, which uses mechanical energy to generate charge carriers for catalyzing water splitting, has emerged as a promising approach. Unlike traditional methods requiring electricity, piezocatalysis harnesses mechanical perturbations, making it energy-efficient and sustainable.
Metal-Free Catalyst Innovation
Led by Professor Tapas K. Maji from JNCASR’s Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, the research team developed a donor-acceptor based covalent-organic framework (COF) for piezocatalytic water splitting. Built from tris(4-aminophenyl)amine (TAPA) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PDA) using imide linkages, this COF exhibits unique ferrielectric (FiE) ordering. Unlike conventional ferroelectric materials, which have limited surface charges, the COF’s FiE ordering generates multifold charges at pore surfaces due to large local electric fields, enabling superior catalytic performance.
How It Works
The COF’s sponge-like porous structure allows water molecules to diffuse and access charge carriers efficiently. The TAPA units, with their propeller-like shape, twist to break structural symmetry, stabilizing the material in a lower-energy state. Theoretical analyses by Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare’s team at JNCASR revealed that the COF’s electronic structure, with coupled energy bands, induces FiE ordering. This makes the material highly responsive to mechanical pressure, generating electron-hole pairs for efficient H₂ production. The COF outperforms all oxide-based inorganic piezocatalysts, achieving ultra-high H₂ yields.
Research Team and Collaborations
The JNCASR team, including Ms. Adrija Ghosh, Ms. Surabhi Menon, Dr. Sandip Biswas, and Dr. Anupam Dey, collaborated with Dr. Supriya Sahoo and Prof. Ramamoorthy Boomishankar from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, and Prof. Jan K. Zaręba from Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland. This interdisciplinary effort underscores the global significance of the research.
Impact and Future Potential
This metal-free COF offers a cost-effective and scalable solution for green H₂ production, reducing reliance on expensive heavy or transition metals. Its high H₂ yield and ability to harness mechanical energy open new avenues for sustainable energy. The research aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which has allocated ₹19,744 crore for R&D and production incentives. Posts on X have celebrated this innovation, noting its potential to revolutionize India’s H₂ economy.
Conclusion
The development of a metal-free COF for piezocatalytic H₂ production by JNCASR researchers marks a pivotal advancement in green energy. By combining cost-effectiveness with high efficiency, this innovation supports India’s vision of becoming a global H₂ leader.
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