Researchers at Oregon State University have developed BVR-19, a material that uses light to produce hydrogen from water. The work focuses on a metal-organic framework, a porous crystalline material whose properties can be tuned at the molecular level. It acts as a photocatalyst, absorbing light and directing that energy into a chemical reaction. The team says the system does not require an additional costly metal catalyst.
BVR-19 contains an unusual bond between sulfur atoms in its organic component. When exposed to light, the bond temporarily breaks and forms reactive sulfur species. These help capture light energy and move electrons needed to generate hydrogen. The researchers say the material forms spontaneously in water at room temperature, potentially lowering the energy needed to make the catalyst.
Metal-organic frameworks are a large class of materials. Researchers have synthesised nearly 100,000 structures, while hundreds of thousands more have been predicted computationally. By comparing related versions of BVR-19 with different metals, the team identified how composition affects performance and proposed design guidance for future photocatalysts.
Hydrogen is used in ammonia production, metal refining and plastics, and is also being explored as a fuel. Much of it is currently made from natural gas through a process that releases carbon dioxide. Producing hydrogen from water with electricity or sunlight could be cleaner, but remains more expensive. The study materials cite an estimated cost of about $1.50 per kilogram for conventional production compared with roughly $5 for green hydrogen.
The findings were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. BVR-19 remains a laboratory-stage material. Its efficiency, durability and cost at larger scale still need to be tested, and the researchers present their findings as a basis for designing future solar-fuel systems rather than as a ready commercial technology.