While we hope we will soon be able to, by breaking moleculesmolecules From water, and producing hydrogen on an industrial scale to help decarbonize our economies, researchers from Northwestern University (USA) announced today that they have observed the opposite phenomenon. For the first time they witnessed mergermerger toAtomsAtoms tohydrogenhydrogen (H2)) And atomsOxygenOxygen (or2) thus forming a small drop of water (H2Hey).
in Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesThey explained that they had succeeded in unraveling the threads of the process that had interested them for a long time. The formation of water catalyzed by PalladiumPalladium. To do this, the researchers developed an extremely thin glass membrane. The goal: to preserve molecules gasgas In honeycomb nanoreactors, they can be monitored Electron microscopesElectron microscopes In transmission, with A accuracyaccuracy Crazy 0.102 nmnm.
Thus, the researchers understood that to form water using a palladium catalyst – which is not consumed in the process – it is first necessary to inject into it small hydrogen atoms capable of penetrating the metal lattice. When oxygen is added, it easily absorbs on the palladium surface and the reaction occurs.
A way to provide water for future astronauts
Indeed, researchers envision preparing palladium strips filled with hydrogen for future space travelers. All they have to do then is add oxygen to create water that they can drink once they reach a dry planet.
