The team’s approach harnesses some of the contaminants in wastewater to speed up hydrogen production and overcome high contaminant loads that normally makes wastewater unusable.

Lead researcher Associate Professor Nasir Mahmood, from RMIT’s School of Science, said the team found a way to capture platinum, chromium and nickel other metals in the water and then put these elements to work to enhance green hydrogen production.

Their experimental invention comes in the form of electrodes, which are key components for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. The electrode is made with an absorbent carbon surface that attracts metals from wastewater to form catalysts that are stable and efficient at conducting electricity, helping to speed up the water splitting.

As part of the experiments, the team used the wastewater samples in a container with two electrodes – an anode and a cathode – and powered the water-splitting process with renewable energy. When electricity flows through the water, it causes a chemical reaction.

At the cathode, water molecules gain electrons and form hydrogen gas. At the anode, water molecules lose electrons and forms oxygen.

Co-researcher Dr Muhammad Haris said further research was needed to refine the catalyst process, making it even more efficient and suitable for commercial use.