The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore has developed an innovative catalyst that enables the production of pure hydrogen from methanol at a significantly lower temperature, making the process more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The catalyst, created under the leadership of Professor Sanjay K Singh from the Department of Chemistry, helps generate hydrogen at 130°C, a marked improvement compared to traditional methods, which require temperatures exceeding 200°C. The technology, having been successfully tested, has been granted a patent, and discussions are ongoing with industry partners to bring it to market for industrial and commercial applications.
This advancement can yield one kilogram of hydrogen from 13 liters of methanol and is seen as a promising alternative to reduce reliance on fossil fuels like diesel and petrol. Hydrogen is considered a crucial component in the global shift towards cleaner energy sources.
This breakthrough holds potential for wide-scale adoption due to its economic feasibility and reduced environmental impact.