New green hydrogen tech makes clean fuel directly from wastewater

Researchers from RMIT University, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Australian Synchrotron, and the University of New South Wales, have developed an innovative technology that produces green hydrogen fuel directly from wastewater without requiring purified water. This method leverages metals naturally present in wastewater—such as platinum, chromium, and nickel—as catalysts to enhance the electrochemical water-splitting process. Special electrodes made from carbon derived from agricultural waste absorb these metals, forming stable catalysts that accelerate hydrogen production while simultaneously generating oxygen. This oxygen can be reintegrated into wastewater treatment plants to improve their efficiency, thereby addressing both clean energy production and water pollution. In laboratory tests, the system operated continuously for 18 days with minimal performance decline, using partially treated wastewater representative of real-world conditions. The technology offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution by transforming wastewater, a global environmental pollutant, into a valuable resource for clean fuel generation. The research team emphasizes the dual benefits of reducing pollution and alleviating water scarcity, particularly