The potential for solar-driven production of hydrogen peroxide as a clean, renewable alternative to fossil fuels has been demonstrated in a new study. Researchers from the University of Toronto have developed a new process that utilizes sunlight to create hydrogen peroxide from water and carbon dioxide, a compound that can be used as a clean-burning fuel. The findings, published in Nature Communications, could lead to an efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective way to produce hydrogen peroxide.

The new process utilizes a photocatalyst, a material that absorbs light and drives chemical reactions, to convert water and carbon dioxide into hydrogen peroxide. The photocatalyst is made of a combination of nickel and titanium dioxide, which is abundant and inexpensive. The reaction is powered by sunlight, eliminating the need for a power source and making it more efficient than current methods. The researchers also showed that the process is highly selective, meaning that it produces only hydrogen peroxide and no other byproducts. This makes it a clean and sustainable option for producing a renewable fuel.

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source: Phys.org