NiFeOOH/Ni/FAPbI3 photoanode and mini-en-PEC module entirely based on PSK. Credit: Natural energy (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-023-01438-x
As part of a move toward practical photoelectrochemical water splitting, a research team has achieved a technological breakthrough in the production of green hydrogen. With its innovative approach, the team overcame the efficiency, stability and scalability challenges of photoelectrodes, paving the way for practical implementation. The study is published in the journal Natural energy.
The team includes researchers from UNIST’s School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, led by Professors Jae Sung Lee, Ji-Wook Jang and Sang Il Seok, in collaboration with Professor Hankwon Lim from the Graduate School of Carbon Neutrality of UNIST.
A key aspect of this advancement is the team’s ability to address the limitations of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and significantly increase the size of photoelectrodes, up to 10,000 times. In doing so, they have achieved unprecedented efficiency, sustainability and scalability in producing green hydrogen using solar energy.
“Solar hydrogen technology, which harnesses the sun’s abundant renewable energy to decompose water and obtain hydrogen, is an ideal approach for green hydrogen production,” explained Professor Jae Sung Lee . “By scaling up photoelectrodes and overcoming the efficiency limitations of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), we have made significant progress toward practical implementation.”
The research team used perovskite as the photoelectrode material because of its efficiency and relatively affordable price. However, PSCs are known to be vulnerable to ultraviolet rays and humidity, which pose significant challenges. To overcome these limitations, the team introduced formamide, rather than methylammonium, as the perovskite cation. This modification greatly improved the stability of the photoelectrodes against ultraviolet rays.
Additionally, the team sealed the water contact surface using nickel foil, ensuring stability even in water. This groundbreaking achievement is a testament to the leadership of UNIST researchers, including Professor Sang Il Seok, who also contributed to this study.
Solar hydrogen production systems, located in an outdoor space. Credit: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
The research team’s modular design approach, connecting small photoelectrodes and arranging them in specific sizes, has paved the way for large-scale practical applications. With solar hydrogen conversion efficiency greater than 10% in this module-based design, the team has met the minimum requirements for commercialization, achieving the world’s highest efficiency in large-area photoelectrodes.
Dr. Dharmesh Hansora, first author of the study, highlighted the significance of this achievement saying, “The photoelectrode developed in this study maintained high efficiency even over large areas. Focusing on field demonstration for commercialization of green hydrogen production in the future, solar-powered green hydrogen technology is expected to be commercialized before 2030. »
More information:
Dharmesh Hansora et al, Perovskite-based unassisted photoelectrochemical water splitting system for efficient, stable and scalable solar hydrogen production, Natural energy (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-023-01438-x
Provided by Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
Quote: Study unveils scalable and efficient photoelectrode modules for green hydrogen production (February 7, 2024) retrieved February 7, 2024 from
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