Nature-inspired compound

The large-scale production of hydrogen from water and sunlight could be possible with a new catalytic system that takes inspiration from nature.

The five-year research project - sponsored by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) - will create a compound that mimics the active site of the enzyme organisms used to convert hydrogen ions to hydrogen gas during anaerobic (without oxygen) respiration.

If successful, the project could provide a springboard towards large-scale water photolysis (converting light energy to chemical energy) for a sustainable hydrogen economy.

Oxford University chemist Dr Erwin Reisner, the leader of the effort, has already demonstrated the ability to produce these special enzymes, called hydrogenases, with nickel and iron in their active sites.

Through previous experiments, he showed that shining light on the enzymes, which were steeped in water and a solution that provided electrons and protons, will produce hydrogen.

The process is inspired by bacteria such as E.coli, which naturally possess hydrogenase enzymes. These organisms produce hydrogen as a by-product of normal microbial metabolism.