The use of solar energy for photoelectrochemically splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen has been widely investigated for producing sustainable H2 fuel. However, no commercialization of this technology has emerged. Currently, the main obstacles to commercialization are low solar-to-hydrogen efficiency (2-3% active area of up 10 cm2), use of expensive and critical raw materials (e.g., BiVO4), and energy losses in separating H2 from O2 and H2O vapor in the output stream. The SERGIO partners have identified a novel procedure to fabricate photoelectrode materials coupled with an innovative scientific direction for achieving cost-effective solar-driven H2 production in a tandem photoelectrochemical cell (PEC), such as polymeric membranes and porous hydrophobic photocathode backing layer. This new approach allows the use of cost-effective metal oxide electrodes with optimal bandgaps and a simple cell without corrosive electrolytes.
Zeolite doped-undoped Fe2O3/CuO semiconductors couple will be investigated and implemented through electrospinning. Supporting A novelty item of this proposal is the production of zeolite doped-undoped Fe2O3/CuO semiconductors coupled by electrospinning. This technique allows obtaining micro-nanofibers having large surface area, tunable porosity, and pore size. The best-performing co-catalysts, that promote the evolution of oxygen and hydrogen gases, such as Ni-based materials, will be assessed in terms of photoelectrochemical activity.
To decrease the well-known recombination effects, the anodic semiconductor will be deposited on FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide)/glass both on the full surface, and both on separated areas (segmented surface). The FTO/glass, from the layer without FTO, will be drilled to directly fill the necessary reaction water, through the membrane, to the photocathode. The cathodic semiconductor will be deposited, using the aforementioned procedure, on a porous carbon-based hydrophobic backing substrate. This project aims to achieve TRL 4, by validating the technology in the laboratory in a cell with an active area up to 10 cm2, with a solar to-hydrogen efficiency of 5% and an acceptable hydrogen purity (99.99%). We aim for breakthroughs in cost efficiency, conversion efficiency, and H2 purity.