South Korea turns plastic bottles into hydrogen with solar power

Scientists at South Korea’s Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Center for Nanoparticle Research, led by Professors Kim Dae-Hyeong and Hyeon Taeghwan, have developed an innovative photocatalytic system that converts plastic waste, specifically PET bottles, into clean hydrogen fuel using sunlight. This system addresses the inefficiencies and greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional hydrogen production methods by harnessing solar energy to break down plastics into byproducts like ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid while releasing hydrogen. A key advancement is the stabilization of the catalyst within a polymer network at the air-water interface, which prevents common issues such as catalyst loss and reverse reactions, enabling stable operation for over two months even in harsh alkaline conditions. The technology was successfully tested outdoors with a one-square-meter device that produced hydrogen from dissolved plastic bottles under natural sunlight. Its floatable catalyst design allows it to function in various water environments, including seawater and tap water. Importantly, simulations indicate the system can