Introduction

The quest for sustainable energy solutions has long been a cornerstone of global environmental efforts. While fossil fuels remain the primary source of energy worldwide, the production of green hydrogen offers a promising alternative to reduce greenhouse gases and mitigate climate change. Green hydrogen, produced via proton adsorption in electrocatalysts like metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) heterostructures, has the potential to revolutionize the energy sector. However, traditional methods for producing green hydrogen often rely on less efficient catalysts with limited robustness. This research introduces a groundbreaking approach by utilizing fresh insights into proton adsorption behavior at catalyst surfaces, leveraging the unique properties of BIEF (built-in electric field) in heterostructures.

**The Challenge of Green Hydrogen Production

The development of advanced catalysts is critical for achieving sustainable hydrogen production. Proton adsorption in these systems is governed by intricate interactions with surface charges and built-in electric fields. A researcher from the Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST), Mohali, has revealed that proton behavior at Cu(OH)2 surfaces over CuWO4 precursors exhibits distinct characteristics across regions. Near the depletion region and along the interface, proton adsorption energy varies significantly compared to bulk areas, creating a nuanced interplay between work function differences and built-in electric fields. This finding highlights how asymmetric electronic environments in heterostructures can influence the dynamic processes of proton transfer and desorption.

The interplay between BIEF and Gibbs free energy (GFE), which governs hydrogen adsorption and desorption, is crucial for optimizing catalytic performance. The researcher demonstrated that the ‘negative cooperativity’ observed in CuO-CuWO4 catalysts—where one molecule reduces the affinity of others—provides a favorable environment for efficient hydrogen evolution. Along the heterojunction interface, significant proton binding to CuO and desorption from CuWO4 are evident, while ∆G values indicate high affinity for protons on the CuO phase and substantial desorption on the CuWO4 surface.

Conclusion

This research not only advances our understanding of green hydrogen production but also offers practical insights into the design of robust electrocatalysts. By focusing on proton adsorption behavior at catalyst surfaces, this approach could pave the way for scalable and sustainable hydrogen production methods. Collaborating with industries and policymakers to develop these advanced materials is essential to realize the potential of green hydrogen in addressing global energy needs while minimizing environmental impact. This innovation represents a significant step toward achieving a cleaner, greener future powered by green hydrogen.