10 times hydrogen output from nuclear waste possible, new study finds

A recent study by scientists at the University of Sharjah, published in Nuclear Engineering and Design, reveals that hydrogen production from nuclear waste can be increased up to tenfold using a novel process called radiation-enhanced electrolysis. This approach leverages the radioactivity of nuclear waste to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen efficiently, transforming a long-standing environmental hazard into a valuable clean energy resource. The study surveys various innovative technologies, including catalyst-enhanced electrolysis, uranium-based catalysis, methane reforming with uranium catalysts, radiolysis with additives like formic acid, and liquid-phase plasma photocatalysis, all of which improve hydrogen yield while reducing radioactive waste volume and storage needs. Despite the promising potential of these methods, the researchers highlight significant challenges, primarily the strict regulatory controls on handling radioactive materials, which limit direct experimentation with nuclear waste and often force reliance on simulated radiation sources. This regulatory barrier may affect the accuracy and practical application of research findings. Additional technical hurdles include risks of syngas contamination