A team of Korean scientists from Seoul National University, led by Professors KIM Dae-Hyeong and Hyeon Taeghwan, has developed an innovative green technology that uses sunlight and water to transform plastic waste, specifically PET bottles, into clean hydrogen fuel. The key innovation involves a photocatalytic system wrapped in a hydrogel polymer, allowing it to float on water and remain active under challenging environmental conditions. This approach addresses the limitations of traditional hydrogen production methods by stabilizing the catalyst within a polymer network and optimizing the reaction site at the air-water interface. The system efficiently breaks down plastics like PET into useful byproducts while generating clean hydrogen, offering a cleaner alternative to methane steam reforming. The researchers demonstrated the system's stability in real-world conditions, including highly alkaline environments and various water sources. Performance tests using a one-square-meter outdoor setup showcased successful hydrogen production from dissolved PET bottle waste. The technology's scalability was confirmed through economic and scale-up simulations, indicating its potential for large-scale, cost-effective hydrogen production. This breakthrough not only tackles environmental pollution by converting plastic waste into a valuable energy source but also addresses the increasing demand for clean energy. The researchers emphasize the significance of their work in advancing towards a hydrogen-powered, carbon-neutral society, highlighting the practicality and reliability of the developed photocatalytic system in real-world applications.