Hydrogen production using Radiowaves

Decomposition of water by radiowaves

Using radiofrequency radiation it is possible to produce hydrogen from water-salt solutions (NaCl-H20) and seawater by chemical decomposition.

When exposed to a polarized radiofrequency beam at 13.56 MHz at room temperature, NaCl–H2O solutions of concentrations ranging from 1 to 30% generate an intimate mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.

Radiofrequency radiation makes sodium ions in saltwater-solution vibrate, and due to van der Waals force the oxygen atoms of water molecules will also vibrate, resulting in separation of hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

Whether this novel method is economically competitive is yet to be resolved. This method of separating hydrogen and oxygen from water was discovered in 2007 by John Kanzius experimenting with water desalinization, and it was first confirmed by Penn State research group lead by Professor Rustum Roy.