Iron photocatalyst cuts hydrogen cost

Researchers at Kyushu University report that a simple mixture of iron ions, sodium hydroxide and UV light produced hydrogen from methanol at about 921 mmol H2 per hour per gram of catalyst—performance the authors say rivals expensive, high‑tech catalysts. The result suggests common, low‑cost materials might substitute for rare or complex catalysts in some hydrogen‑production processes. — If reproducible and scalable, inexpensive photocatalysis could materially lower the cost and supply‑chain constraints of hydrogen, reshaping clean‑energy deployment and industrial strategy.