Amid growing concerns over water pollution and the global demand for clean, renewable energy, a Nigerian scientist is making waves with a groundbreaking discovery that could benefit both environmental sustainability and Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Emmanuel Nyela Musa, a leading materials scientist specializing in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and photocatalysis, has developed a novel dual-purpose catalyst capable of purifying herbicide-contaminated water while simultaneously generating hydrogen — a clean, renewable energy source.
During the interview, Mr. Musa, whose research involved collaboration with Oregon State University’s College of Engineering and global tech company HP Inc., shared how the innovation could serve as a transformative technology for water treatment and sustainable energy production in rural and agricultural communities across Nigeria.
“Water pollution remains a major global challenge, particularly in developing countries,” Mr. Musa explained. “At the same time, hydrogen is being embraced worldwide as a clean fuel alternative that supports carbon neutrality.”
At the core of Mr. Musa’s breakthrough is the use of photocatalysts — advanced materials that absorb light to reach high-energy states, which can then be used to oxidize and break down harmful organic contaminants in water. These catalysts also enable water-splitting reactions that release hydrogen gas.
MOFs, the class of materials central to his research, consist of positively charged metal ions linked by organic molecules. Their porous, crystalline structures can be engineered for specific chemical and physical properties, including catalytic activity. When subjected to high heat in a process known as calcination, MOFs can yield semiconductor materials such as titanium dioxide — a well-known and widely used photocatalyst.
Mr. Musa’s team discovered that a nitrogen- and sulfur-doped form of anatase (a crystalline form of titanium dioxide) exhibited the highest efficiency in simultaneously degrading glyphosate, one of the world’s most widely used herbicides while producing hydrogen. Glyphosate, commonly marketed as Roundup, has been extensively applied in agriculture for over five decades. However, only a small fraction of the chemical is absorbed by crops, with the rest leaching into soil and groundwater.
“The environmental risk is significant,” Musa emphasized. “Herbicides like glyphosate can accumulate in water sources, harming aquatic life and potentially entering the human food chain.”
Unlike traditional methods of hydrogen production, such as methane steam reforming which emits large amounts of carbon dioxide, the photocatalytic process, likened to artificial photosynthesis, uses sunlight and water, offering a much greener and more sustainable pathway.
“Water is an abundant source of hydrogen,” Musa said. “Photocatalysis allows us to harness solar energy to split water, generate clean fuel, and at the same time remove harmful organic pollutants. It’s a win-win solution.”
He envisions the technology being deployed across Nigeria’s agricultural zones, particularly in rural communities where both water pollution and access to energy remain pressing issues. The long-term goal, according to Mr. Musa, is to create systems that can treat contaminated water used in farming and animal husbandry, while also producing the hydrogen energy needed to power those same systems.
However, Mr. Musa also acknowledged significant challenges facing local adoption of technology, including limited infrastructure and a shortage of technical expertise. To bridge these gaps, he called for increased government and private sector investment in science education, research, and innovation.
He also highlighted the importance of global partnerships. “Collaborating with international research institutions and manufacturers is essential,” Mr. Musa noted. “These partnerships can accelerate knowledge transfer and provide access to the latest advancements in catalyst design and clean energy systems.”
As Nigeria seeks sustainable solutions to its environmental and energy challenges, innovations like Mr. Musa’s dual-purpose photocatalyst could play a vital role, especially in ensuring cleaner water and greener energy for future generations.
