Researchers at the University of Birmingham and the University of Science and Technology Beijing have developed a perovskite catalyst that produces clean hydrogen from water at temperatures roughly 900 degrees Fahrenheit lower than current methods. The catalyst splits steam into hydrogen and oxygen at 150 to 500 degrees Celsius, and regenerates at 700 to 980 degrees Celsius, a significant reduction from the typical 1,320 to 1,480 degrees Celsius needed for regeneration. The catalyst is made from common, non-toxic elements including barium, calcium, niobium, and iron, and maintained stable performance over ten production cycles. The lower heat requirement means hydrogen could be produced using waste heat from steel mills, cement plants, and other heavy industries, avoiding the need for dedicated high-temperature furnaces. A preliminary cost analysis suggests this method could undercut both green hydrogen from renewable electricity and blue hydrogen from natural gas with carbon capture, especially in regions with cheap renewable power. The university has filed a patent and is seeking commercial partners in the UK and Europe.
