IIT (ISM) Dhanbad develops low-cost catalyst to accelerate green hydrogen production

Dhanbad: In a significant breakthrough aligned with India’s clean energy ambitions, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), IIT(ISM), Dhanbad, developed a low-cost and efficient electrode material that could substantially reduce the cost of green hydrogen production.

The innovation comes at a crucial juncture as India advances its ambitious National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to produce five million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. Green hydrogen, generated through water splitting using renewable energy, is widely regarded as a transformative solution for decarbonising sectors such as steel, fertilisers, petroleum refining, and chemicals.


A team led by Sk Riyajuddin of INSPIRE Faculty in the department of physics developed the electrode material. Highlighting the importance of the development, Riyajuddin said one of the primary barriers to affordable hydrogen production was the reliance on expensive noble metals like platinum and ruthenium as catalysts.

“Our objective was to create a cost-effective alternative using earth-abundant materials,” he explained.

The team engineered a novel catalyst by integrating molybdenum disulfide and vanadium sulfides with reduced graphene oxide, forming a highly conductive and efficient electrocatalytic system. The use of affordable elements such as molybdenum, vanadium, sulphur, and carbon makes the material commercially viable for large-scale deployment.

The researchers also demonstrated successful green hydrogen generation using a commercially available silicon solar cell, showcasing a complete solar-to-hydrogen pathway powered solely by sunlight and water.

Currently, green hydrogen production in India costs between Rs 250 and Rs 350 per kilogram. Experts believe that innovations reducing catalyst dependency on precious metals could significantly enhance commercial competitiveness.

The findings, published in the international journal ‘Small’, are expected to strengthen India’s transition towards a low-carbon economy and bolster its global clean energy leadership.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Valentine's day wishes, messages and gift idea !