Day–night temperature fluctuations power hydrogen evolution

Setting sun over a city

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Pyrocatalytic nanoparticles split water and produce hydrogen

Scientists in China and Hong Kong have split water at room temperature using a special type of functional material that can generate an electric charge from the natural change in temperature from day to night. The team used nanoparticles that can convert thermal energy into an electric charge big enough to catalytically split water molecules into hydrogen gas.