Abstract
The University of Central Florida invention describes a method to produce green and blue hydrogen from hydrocarbons without releasing carbon gas. By using visible light (a laser, lamp, or solar source) and defect-engineered boron-rich photocatalysts, the invention highlights a new functionality of 2D materials for visible light-assisted capture and the conversion of hydrocarbons. The UCF invention produces hydrogen that is free from contaminants such as higher polyaromatic compounds, carbon dioxide, or carbon monoxide which are common in reactions performed at higher temperatures on conventional catalysts.
The heterogeneous catalyst can comprise hexagonal boron nitride and at least one catalytically active defect on the surface. Example hydrocarbon sources include methane, ethane, propene, allene, propyne, cyclohexene, and other hydrocarbons. In the lattice, the B atoms can be tuned to favor the dehydrogenation of specific hydrocarbons on reaction sites under visible light. In the process, the catalyst captures carbon atoms that form structures of potential higher value for future applications.
Partnering Opportunity
The research team is seeking partners for licensing and/or research collaboration.
Stage of Development
Prototype available.
Benefit
Can potentially lower the cost of catalysts by circumventing the need for noble metals such as platinum or palladiumPhotocatalytic conversion in the visible range makes it possible to design processes that take advantage of solar illumination in the futureEnables high special resolution with fairly simple equipmentMarket Application
Possible large-scale production of hydrogen in solar farmsCapture and conversion of methane to do the following:Eliminate emission gas with high greenhouse capacity (40x that of CO2)Generate carbon and blue hydrogen from petroleum extraction and processingProduce carbon and green hydrogen from landfills and manure pondsEnergy materials (batteries, supercapacitors), solar cells, sensors
Brochure
