IIT-ISM Develops Low-Cost Catalyst to Boost Green Hydrogen Push

Dhanbad: In a breakthrough aligned with India’s clean energy ambitions, researchers at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad have developed an affordable electrode material that could make green hydrogen production cheaper and more efficient — a step seen as strengthening the country’s transition away from fossil fuels.

The innovation comes as global energy demand rises alongside concerns over climate change caused by emissions from coal, oil and gas. India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, positioning the fuel as a key pillar of future energy security.

Green hydrogen — generated through processes that emit only water as a by-product — is widely viewed as a versatile clean energy carrier. It holds potential across industries such as fertilisers, refining, chemicals and steel, and is expected to power vehicles, electricity generation and industrial heating in the coming years. However, high production costs, estimated at ₹250–₹350 per kg in India, remain a major barrier.

Addressing this challenge, a research team led by Dr. Sk Riyajuddin from the Department of Physics, along with scholars Priyadarshani Tamang and Rumana Sultana Parvin, designed a catalyst using abundant, low-cost elements including molybdenum, vanadium, sulphur and carbon. The composite material enhances electrochemical water splitting — a green method of extracting hydrogen from water — by lowering energy requirements while improving efficiency.

In a further demonstration, the scientists successfully produced hydrogen using a commercially available silicon solar cell, indicating the feasibility of generating the fuel directly from sunlight and water — a development that could advance scalable solar-to-hydrogen technologies.

The findings, published in the international journal Small, underline IIT (ISM)’s expanding contribution to cutting-edge research and national sustainability goals, reinforcing its role in India’s pursuit of a low-carbon future.