Two pgms have been used in a new method that produces hydrogen gas from water.

Both rhodium and ruthenium are used in the method, which involves a process called photocatalysis and visible light.

A group at the Tokyo University of Science has developed it, describing it as a more efficient means of generating hydrogen from water than previous attempts.

Hydrogen can be generated in quantities up to 10 times greater than current processes, according to Fuel Cell Works.

Rhodium is added to the two photocatalysts, which are made from bismuth vanadate and strontium titanate.

The strontium titanate is then coated with ruthenium.

When combined, the two photocatalysts can absorb more of the light spectrum, which in turn produces more hydrogen.

Japanese chemists also used pgm catalysts in the production of biofuels from plants earlier this year.

Scientists at Hokkaido University claim to have used platinum and ruthenium to convert an aqueous mixture of cellulose and hydrogen gas into glucose.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd