Solar-powered methanol conversion for on-demand hydrogen production

December 1st, 2023

R&D Focus Areas:
Synthetic fuels and chemicals

Lead Organisation:
The University of Queensland

Partners:
Not Applicable

Status:
Yet to commence

Start date:
October 2024

Completion date:
October 2027

Key contacts:
Dr Mu Xiao – m.xiao@uq.edu.au

Funding:
Australian Research Council (DE240100810): AUD$397,072

Project total cost:
AUD$652,353.00 cash plus AUD$30,000.00 in-kind contribution

Project summary description:
Methanol is an ideal hydrogen carrier due to its low cost, high hydrogen content, and liquid phase for easy storage and transport but facing problems with hydrogen release. This project aims to achieve cost-effective and emission-free methanol conversion for on-demand hydrogen production. The key concept is the rational design of high-performance single-atom catalytic materials for solar-powered photocatalytic methanol conversion to hydrogen and value-added chemical formaldehyde with high productivity and selectivity. Expected outcomes include cutting-edge knowledge in the synthesis of functional materials and technology for efficient methanol-to-hydrogen conversion.

https://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/Web/Grant/Grant/DE240100810

Higher degree studies supported:
One PhD student will be supported from this project.

Reviewed: July 2024