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Scientists in Perth, Western Australia, have discovered what they describe as a "game-changer" catalyst to make hydrogen from water which could soon pave the way for large-scale green energy production.

The Curtin University researchers found that adding nickel and cobalt to cheaper, previously ineffective catalysts enhances their performance, lowers the energy required to split the water and increases the yield of hydrogen.

Typically, scientists have been using precious metal catalysts, such as platinum, to accelerate the reaction to break water into hydrogen and oxygen, but the new method is said to be cheaper and more efficient.

Lead researcher Dr Guohua Jia, from Curtin's School of Molecular and Life Sciences, said the discovery could have far-reaching implications for sustainable green fuel generation in the future.

"Our research essentially saw us take two-dimensional iron-sulphur nanocrystals, which don't usually work as catalysts for the electricity-driven reaction that gets hydrogen from water, and add small amounts of nickel and cobalt ions. When we did this it completely transformed the poor-performing iron-sulphur into a viable and efficient catalyst," Dr Jia explained.

"Using these more abundant materials is cheaper and more efficient than the current benchmark material, ruthenium oxide, which is derived from ruthenium element and is expensive.

"Our findings not only broaden the existing 'palette' of possible particle combinations, but also introduce a new, efficient catalyst that may be useful in other applications.

"It also opens new avenues for future research in the energy sector."

Dr Jia said the next steps would be to expand and test the team's work on a larger scale to evaluate its commercial viability, adding that the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy would only be possible once research is translated into real-world solutions and applications in the energy sector.

The study was a collaboration between researchers Dr Guohua Jia and Dr Franca Jones from Curtin's School of Molecular and Life Sciences, and Professor Zongping Shao from Western Australian School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering.