CEU scientists uncover a cleaner and more efficient method for producing hydrogen

Professors Ulises Amador and María Teresa Azcondo have published a study in the framework of the research project PID2022-139501OB-C21 in the international journal Small Structures. Their findings could mark a turning point in the production of hydrogen, one of the key fuels for a zero-emissions future. 

“Hydrogen is a clean energy source which when used, only produces water as waste. However, producing it sustainably is still a major challenge,” stresses Ulises Amador. In this new study, the researchers demonstrate that a special material, known as perovskite (technically called SrFe0.9Mo0.1O3-d or SFMO), can split water into hydrogen and oxygen at significantly lower temperatures than usual, around 800 ºC. 

To confirm that the material truly generated hydrogen, the team used a highly precise technique combining heavy water with mass spectrometry, allowing the process to be monitored in detail. They also used advanced tools such as synchrotron X-rays to observe how the material changed during the reaction, without breaking down or degrading. 

The most striking finding is that the material does not follow the expected traditional chemical mechanism. “Instead of losing or gaining oxygen, its structure expands reversibly, which makes it more stable and long-lasting. In fact, the process could be repeated several times without the material deteriorating,” explains María Teresa Azcondo. 

This breakthrough paves the way for new technologies capable of using solar energy to produce hydrogen cleanly and efficiently, bringing us closer to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy model. 

For more information: http://doi.org/10.1002/sstr.202500544