•Dr Saheed Raheem
A Nigerian scientist, Dr Saheed Raheem, has made a significant breakthrough that could drastically lower the cost of green hydrogen production, bolstering global efforts to transition to clean energy.
Raheem, a materials chemist specialising in electrocatalysis, has developed a high performing composite catalyst using molybdenum nitride (Mo₃N₂) and vanadium oxide (VO₂), an innovative alternative to expensive platinum based catalysts typically used in hydrogen production, reports The Nation.
“Green hydrogen has immense potential to replace fossil fuels, but its production has been too expensive, mainly because of the reliance on precious metals.
“Our goal is to break that barrier by designing cost effective, efficient alternatives using abundant materials,” Raheem said in an interview with our correspondent.
He said platinum remains the dominant catalyst for triggering the hydrogen evolution reaction in water electrolysis systems. However, its high cost and scarcity present major obstacles to widespread adoption.
While cheaper substitutes such as Mo₃N₂ have shown potential, he emphasized that they often falter under harsh conditions due to poor stability and lower catalytic efficiency.
To overcome these limitations, Raheem and his team engineered a Mo₃N₂ VO₂ composite with a synergistic structure that improves electron transfer and increases the number of active catalytic sites.
The result is a robust catalyst that matches and in some cases surpasses the performance of other non precious alternatives, especially under acidic conditions.
“Our tests showed that this new catalyst holds up impressively well under demanding conditions. It could be a turning point in making green hydrogen commercially viable,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Dr Raheem emphasised the need to scale up production of the catalyst and adapt it to operate efficiently across a wider pH range, a quality that would bring it closer to the versatility of platinum.
“This research is not just about scientific curiosity. It is about creating solutions that can drive real world impact, solutions that help reduce emissions, create jobs in clean energy, and make developing countries less dependent on imported fuel.”
He added that this breakthrough aligns with international efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and build a resilient, low carbon energy future.
“With the right support, Africa can play a central role in the global clean energy shift. Green hydrogen is not a distant dream. It is within reach, and it starts with rethinking the materials we use to produce it.”
