Laser and electric-field driven hydrogen generation from methanol vapor

The generation of hydrogen from methanol vapor was investigated under the simultaneous laser induced and electric-field ionization of methanol vapor using graphene aerogel as electrode and optical target for ejection of hot electrons. It was observed that the process of methanol conversion to hydrogen was significantly enhanced, reaching almost 90 % efficiency. The process occurred without CO 2 and with low CH 4 emissions. • The synergetic optoelectrical method of H 2 generation from methanol vapor is reported. • The gas products were observed in both EFI and LII excitations. • The conversion to H 2 increased using EFI + LII in higher vapor concentrations. • Among the produced gases the amount of CH 4 is negligible using only LII. • The maximum conversion to H 2 was obtained at more than 90 % of the methanol vapor.