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Project title

Enhanced Photocatalytic Electrochemical Cells (PEC) for Green Hydrogen Production: Surfaces to Break the Cost and Production Yield Barriers of PEC

Primary Funding Agency

Science Foundation Ireland

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Lead Organisation

Dublin City University

Lead Applicant

Not listed

Project Abstract

In this project, the photocatalytic production of hydrogen will be developed to create a new understanding of the process while also targeting a dramatic step change improvement in the efficiency. In this method of hydrogen production. Photocatalytic Electrochemical Cells (PECs) are used which contain an anode and cathode at which the water is split producing hydrogen upon exposure to incident standard solar photonic wavelengths. While the generation of hydrogen through the splitting of water by solar energy using semiconductors is attractive for Green hydrogen production, it comes with significant challenges in coming up with a suitable material chemistry and topology which are cheap to implement and converts sunlight efficiently into hydrogen. A variety of photo-anodes with typical maximum efficiencies in the range of 10% have been developed, compared with the 20% theoretical maximum efficiency at a light intensity equivalent to 1 sun for a single band-gap device. In this project, a novel multi-disciplinary approach is taken to solve this research challenge of providing low cost and high yield hydrogen PEC systems. In this project a multi-disciplinary approach is taken, employing chemistry, laser processing, materials science and bubble dynamics developments for the optimisation of hydrogen production.

Grant Approved

�310,485.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

3. Climate Solutions, Transition Management and Opportunities

Start Date

01/06/2023

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/11/2024