Hydrogen fuel breakthrough may replace diesel in heavy transport

Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have developed a novel three-layer solar material that significantly enhances hydrogen production through water splitting, potentially enabling hydrogen to replace diesel in heavy transport sectors where batteries are impractical. The material combines cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC), cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄), and a nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)₂) catalyst layer, achieving an eightfold increase in solar hydrogen output compared to 3C-SiC alone. This improvement is primarily due to better charge separation within the layered structure, which reduces charge recombination—a key challenge in solar-driven water splitting. Currently, most hydrogen is produced as "gray" hydrogen from fossil fuels, emitting substantial CO₂, whereas "green" hydrogen uses renewable energy but often relies on grid electricity rather than direct sunlight. The Linköping team aims to produce green hydrogen solely from solar energy, which would lower costs and eliminate carbon emissions from the process. Although the technology is promising, it currently