Hydrogen might be a perfect sustainable energy carrier in the near future, with zero (or near-zero) end-use emissions and ever-replenishing fossil fuels.

By electrochemical methanol-reforming at atmospheric pressure and temperature, scientists at India’s International Center for Advanced Research in Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) have developed a method that combines electrolysis and reforming processes to produce hydrogen from a mixture of methanol and water (ECMR). The primary benefit of this method is that it uses just 1/3 of the electrical energy required by water electrolysis (water electrolysis requires 55-65 kWh/kg of hydrogen).

The energy value of 40 kWh/kg of hydrogen grabs a lot of attention. When compared to chemical fuels like gasoline, diesel, or LPG, which have an energy value of 12-14 kWh/kg, this is a significant increase. Hydrogen may be found in water, gas, oil, and a variety of other natural elements.

The electrolysis of water or the conversion of hydrocarbons like methane are two of the most frequent processes for creating hydrogen. The entire globe, particularly Europe, is now making every effort to transition to ecologically friendly gasoline. Green hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources, as well as an integrated water electrolysis process for energy generation, would be beneficial in the battle against climate change.

Exfoliated graphite was used to make the primary components of the PEM-based ECMR cell. One of the important advancements in substituting titanium bipolar plates, which are often used in the assembly of electrolyzers and give dubious value for money, has been the use of carbon materials as bipolar plates.

For important components such as the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), bipolar plates, and a variety of process equipment, the ARCI team has created its own production method. When compared to water electrolysis, this approach should dramatically lower the cost of hydrogen, and it can also be readily linked with renewable energy sources.