From waste to energy: Tec student presents green hydrogen solution

Nairi Apiquian Ulloa, a student at the Tec’s Mexico City campus, has presented her research on green hydrogenproduction at the 25th International Congress of the Mexican Hydrogen Society held in Morelia, Michoacán, with a proposal based on photocatalysis using sustainable materials. 

The annual congress organized by the National Technological Institute of Mexico brings together researchers and professionals from across Mexico with the aim of showcasing young talent in green and blue hydrogen technologies and other viable alternatives for Latin America. 

Her project, entitled Design and Evaluation of Sr2Ta2O7–Carbon Quantum Dots System for Enhanced Hydrogen Production by Photocatalytic Water Splitting, proposes an alternative to traditional hydrogen production methods.

“We’re looking for an alternative to traditional methods of green hydrogen production by using photocatalysis with visible light to separate the water molecule more efficiently and by using more sustainable materials,” explained Nairi Apiquian Ulloa.

Currently, green hydrogen is mainly produced using electrolyzers through processes that are costly and have efficiency limitations, making it difficult to adopt on a large scale. 

In contrast, the proposed solution utilizes photocatalysis, which uses visible light to separate water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, thereby reducing the need for energy-intensive processes.

Innovation using waste and nanotechnology 

The project uses carbon quantum dots, nanoscale materials with unique optical properties that allow them to absorb and emit light. 

The Sustainable Development Engineering student explained how one of the most significant innovations is that these materials are obtained from organic waste, such as orange peels, through a hydrothermal process that only requires water and waste.

“We want to use visible light to separate the water molecule to generate hydrogen.”

These quantum dots are combined with a semiconductor called strontium tantalate, which improves light absorption and facilitates the water separation reaction. 

“We want to use visible light to separate the water molecule to generate hydrogen,” explained Nairi.

 
An academic challenge with real impact 

The research emerged as part of an academic stay under the guidance of Rubén Ahumada-Lazo, Director of the Sustainable Development Engineering program, and Claudia Lorena Compean Gonzalez.

Despite being a congress focused mainly on master’s and doctoral students, Nairi presented her work to specialists in the field, including researchers from institutions such as the UNAM and the IPN. 

During the event, she received feedback on the choice of materials, which showed that the field of green hydrogen is still in development and provides many opportunities for improvement.

As a result of her participation, she was able to make contact with leading researchers, including pioneers in green hydrogen in Mexico, which allowed her to expand her academic experience. 

In addition, the project moved towards the writing of a scientific article, consolidating the work done during the research stage. 

Green hydrogen represents an alternative energy source with lots of potential, not only as a fuel, but also as a means of energy storage, complementing renewable sources such as solar and wind power. 

Though Nairi is close to graduating, research will continue with new students, reflecting the growth potential of this project within Mexican scientific and technological fields. 

“It’s a field that still has a lot of room for development, but that’s precisely where the opportunity lies: in exploring new ways to make it more accessible and continuing to promote green hydrogen as a real option for the future of energy,” the student concluded.

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