Researchers at S. Korea’s Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have developed a novel process for the production of hydrogen using various types of biomass, including lignin, as an efficient alternative to water oxidation as an electron source. In a paper published in the journal ACS Catalysis , the researchers report that this approach allows efficient (photo)electrochemical production of hydrogen with a Faradaic efficiency close to unity at acidic pHs and brings additional economic benefits from by-products. Schematic diagram of byproduct production and hydrogen evolution through lignin decomposition. Credit: UNIST In principle, it is possible to produce valuable chemicals such as hydrogen, syngas, hydrocarbons, and alcohols through electrochemical processes using electricity from renewable energy resources. Regardless of final products, it is necessary to extract electrons via oxidation of sacrificial chemicals for the reductive synthesis of the aforementioned chemicals. Conventionally, water is considered a cheap and clean source […]