What do you find so fascinating about this chemical element?
Ferdi Schüth: Hydrogen is by far not only the most common element in the universe, but also the simplest, because it consists of only two elementary particles, one proton and one electron. In addition, the mass of its nucleus has been determined to the nearest ten decimal places.
It is also an extremely useful element because it will become the backbone of our future energy infrastructure, as the shortest route of electrical energy to any substance is only via hydrogen. This makes hydrogen a very exciting element which is being researched by colleagues in many different disciplines.
What is a typical feature of the diversity of hydrogen research?
In elementary particle physics the nucleus of hydrogen, the proton, is being researched as an important elementary particle. At the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, scientists are analysing the role of hydrogen as a key component of the fusion reaction under reactor conditions.
In the field of catalysis, researchers are investigating how hydrogen can be produced as efficiently as possible from electricity and then incorporated into ammonia or methanol, so that it can be sent around the world as an energy carrier.
Biologists and biochemists are focussing on bacteria that produce hydrogen. In the field of metallurgy, hydrogen is an exciting area of research, because it can be used to produce “green steel”, for example. In addition, hydrogen is an interesting area of research for materials researchers, because the materials of a future hydrogen economy need to be hydrogen-compatible.
Are the materials compatible?
Not all, as unfortunately hydrogen also has an unpleasant property in that it creeps into many materials and makes them more brittle. As a result, not every material can withstand hydrogen at high pressure and high temperatures. And we also need ways to handle hydrogen safely in everyday environments. This is also being researched.
Is research into hydrogen currently experiencing a boom?
Yes, this is because Germany has spoken out politically in favour of a hydrogen energy economy. The aim is to set up a hydrogen grid and convert many processes to hydrogen in order to replace natural gas. This will certainly lead to more research activities. However, I should also mention that this is the third time that there has been a boom of this kind during my scientific career – but I believe this one will last a bit longer.
What makes you optimistic that it will remain topical for longer this time?
If we look at the entire energy system, I cannot currently imagine any other process in which electrical energy can be converted so well into a substance. With electrolysis, hydrogen offers the shortest route and has an efficiency of up to 75 percent in the conversion of electricity into a material energy carrier – no other energy conversion technology can achieve this.
If we want to move away from oil and gas in chemistry, then we need another substance that can provide electrons. Hydrogen can do this. It could become the universal currency for all chemistry, which – together with carbon from CO2 – could put the entire chemistry industry onto a sustainable footing.
What did you expect from the Leopoldina Symposium, which was taking place the day after your public lecture?
The fact that our Class I symposium was covering the subject of hydrogen so broadly is unprecedented. I personally believe hydrogen‘s role as an energy carrier is its most important one, it will change the world. It is important for me to spread this message. At the same time, I was also curious to look more closely at the various aspects of hydrogen at the conference.
The interview was conducted by Benjamin Haerdle