MIT researchers reported an electrochemical approach for releasing hydrogen from ammonia while separating it into a high-purity stream, according to a study published Sept. 9, 2026, in Nature. The method couples a palladium-based separation membrane with a hydrogen-generating electrode through a molten hydroxide electrolyte. The researchers said the process could run at about 200 to 300 degrees Celsius, below the above-500-degree temperatures they said conventional ammonia cracking requires.

Yogesh Surendranath, the study's corresponding author, said the work showed electrochemistry could drive thermodynamically uphill dehydrogenation reactions. The team also tested methylcyclohexane, a liquid organic hydrogen carrier. Curtis Berlinguette of the University of British Columbia, who was not involved, called the method a powerful new way to obtain a pure hydrogen stream.

The researchers said they are working to reduce the palladium needed, scale up the process and apply it to other dehydrogenation reactions. The U.S. National Science Foundation funded the research.