Japanese scientists have made a breakthrough in developing a new technology to convert sunlight and water into hydrogen fuel. The innovation, which uses special photocatalysts, could lead to cheaper and more sustainable hydrogen fuel for various applications.
Currently, most free hydrogen is derived from natural gas feedstocks, but this new method could provide an alternative. Prof Kazunari Domen of Shinshu University, senior author of the article, said that “sunlight-driven water splitting using photocatalysts” has great potential for solar-to-chemical energy conversion and storage.
The process involves splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen using light. While it’s not a new concept, existing methods are inefficient, with low solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion rates. The Japanese team opted for a two-step excitation system, which is more efficient, generating hydrogen from one catalyst while producing oxygen from another.
In a successful proof of concept, the researchers operated a reactor for three years and achieved better results in real-world sunlight conditions than in laboratory settings. The ultraviolet-responsive photocatalyst improved solar energy conversion efficiency by 50% compared to simulated standard sunlight.
To move forward and break the 5% efficiency barrier, more research is needed on developing more efficient photocatalysts and building larger experimental reactors. Prof Domen emphasized that improving solar-to-chemical energy conversion by photocatalysts is key to advancing mass production technology and infrastructure development related to solar fuels.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/japan-sunlight-powered-hydrogen-production