Commercialization of solar green hydrogen production technology is just around the corner.
This is thanks to the development of a material that protects the performance of the photoelectrode, which is the core of the technology, to maintain its performance for a long time.
The research team led by Professor Jeong-gi Ryu of the Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering under UNIST (President Jong-rae Park) and Professor David Tilley of the University of Zurich (UZH) in Switzerland has developed a protective layer that dramatically improves the durability of metal oxide photoelectrodes used in solar hydrogen production. .
Professor S. David Tilley, University of Zurich (UZH), Switzerland.
Dr. Bae Sang-hyeon (first author).
Solar hydrogen production is a technology that produces hydrogen by exposing sunlight to photoelectrodes in water. The principle is that water decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen through an electrochemical reaction on the surface of the photoelectrode exposed to sunlight.
This technology has a problem with photoelectrodes corroding during the water oxidation process, so for commercialization, it is essential to develop materials that can effectively protect them. In particular, although metal oxide photoelectrodes are inexpensive materials, technology development has been slow due to the lack of a proper protective layer.
The research team developed a protective layer for metal oxide photoelectrodes by adding polyethyleneimine polymer to titanium dioxide, which is used to protect existing expensive semiconductor photoelectrodes. This protective layer blocks electrons (negatively charged particles) created by the photoelectrode absorbing light and selectively transmits only holes (positively charged particles) that participate in the water oxidation reaction, improving the performance of the photoelectrode and preventing corrosion. You can.
When the developed protective layer was applied to a bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photoelectrode, the water decomposition reaction continued stably for more than 400 hours with a high current density (2.03 mA/cm2). Compared to photoelectrodes without a protective layer, which deteriorate in performance in just 5 hours, stability is greatly improved. Current density is an indicator of the efficiency of a photoelectrode.
Additionally, the developed protective layer can be used not only on bismuth vanadate but also on various metal oxide-based photoelectrodes such as iron oxide (Fe2O3).
Professor Jeong-gi Ryu of the Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering said, “The results of this research will be an important breakthrough in the development of low-cost, high-stability solar water decomposition technology,” and “It is expected to contribute to the development of other photoelectrochemical cells that produce high-value resources with solar energy.” He said.
Transmission electron microscopy image and elemental analysis mapping image of a cross-section of a photoelectrode (BiVO4/PEI/TiO2) coated with a hybrid passivation layer (white arrow: indicates interfacial PEI). Provided by UNIST
The results of this study were published in the international academic journal ‘Nature Communications’ on November 1, with Dr. Bae Sang-hyun from the Department of Chemistry at UZH as the first author, and UNIST doctoral student Min-jung Kim and Dr. Yu-ri Choi participated.
The research was conducted with support from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF).
Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Cheol-woo sooro97@asiae.co.kr
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The Bright Future of Solar Green Hydrogen Production
Hold onto your solar panels, folks! Commercialization of solar green hydrogen production technology is just around the corner, and it’s not just the sun getting hot under the collar. This leap forward is due to a groundbreaking development in protective materials for photoelectrodes, the techy heart of the operation.
Leading the charge is Professor Jeong-gi Ryu from UNIST, teaming up with the illustrious Professor David Tilley from the University of Zurich. Together, they’ve whipped up a protective layer that turbocharges the durability of metal oxide photoelectrodes—those marvelous metal bits that make solar hydrogen production tick!
Now, for those who haven’t been paying attention in chemistry class, here’s the lowdown: this solar hydrogen production sorcery transforms water into hydrogen and oxygen using the mighty powers of sunlight and electrochemical reactions. Sounds like magic, but it’s just good old science!
However, as impressive as that sounds, there’s been a pesky problem—the photoelectrodes have been known to corrode faster than your enthusiasm for New Year resolutions. You know, the ones that vanish after a week. To get this tech off the ground and into your green dreams, researchers had to concoct something capable of protecting these electrode wonders.
So, how do they beef up the metal oxides? By adding a splash of polyethyleneimine polymer to titanium dioxide—the crème de la crème of protective layers. This mix not only protects against corrosion but also works like a VIP club for electrons, selectively letting in the good guys (holes) that join the water oxidation party. This clever maneuver means the photoelectrodes remain productive and corrosion-free!
And here’s a jaw-dropper: during testing, when this super protective layer was paired with a bismuth vanadate photoelectrode, the water decomposition reaction didn’t just last a couple of hours. Oh no, it stayed stable for over 400 hours! That’s like the difference between a well-cooked soufflé and a sad pancake that crumbles after 5 minutes!
Now, it’s not just the bismuth vanadate getting all the attention. This enviable protective layer can also strut its stuff on other metal oxides, such as iron oxide. So, if you thought variety was the spice of life, think again!
Professor Ryu himself has proclaimed this research as an important breakthrough for low-cost, high-stability solar water decomposition tech. He’s predicting that this innovation will not only revolutionize solar hydrogen production but will also contribute to other photoelectrochemical cells producing high-value resources with solar energy. Talk about putting the “power” in solar power!
The groundbreaking findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications on November 1, with Dr. Bae Sang-hyun from UZH leading the charge as first author, alongside talented researchers from UNIST.
And what’s even better? The research was made possible thanks to the backing of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). It’s a little reminder that collaboration really is a beautiful thing—even when it involves scientists getting their hands dirty with polymers and electrodes.
The commercialization of solar green hydrogen production technology is on the horizon, marking a significant advancement in sustainable energy solutions.
This progress is largely attributed to a newly developed protective material that enhances the longevity and performance of the photoelectrode, the pivotal component in this innovative technology.
Leading this groundbreaking research is Professor Jeong-gi Ryu of the Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST (University of Ulsan) alongside Professor David Tilley of the University of Zurich (UZH) in Switzerland. Their collaborative efforts have resulted in a protective layer that significantly boosts the durability of metal oxide photoelectrodes, which are instrumental in solar hydrogen production.
Solar hydrogen production operates on a fundamental principle: it generates hydrogen by utilizing sunlight to activate photoelectrodes submerged in water. This process involves the decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen through an electrochemical reaction occurring at the surface of the photoelectrodes.
A major hurdle in this technology is the corrosion of photoelectrodes during the water oxidation process. To achieve successful commercialization, it is crucial to devise materials that can provide effective protection against such degradation. Although metal oxide photoelectrodes are relatively inexpensive, advancements in this area have been sluggish due to the lack of suitable protective layers.
The research team innovatively used polyethyleneimine polymer to create a protective layer for metal oxide photoelectrodes, combining it with titanium dioxide—previously utilized to safeguard costlier semiconductor photoelectrodes. This newly formulated protective layer efficiently blocks electrons generated by the sunlight-absorbing photoelectrode while selectively allowing holes to pass through, which are essential for the water oxidation reaction. Consequently, this enhancement not only improves photoelectrode performance but also curtails corrosion.
Remarkably, when this newly developed protective layer was applied to a bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photoelectrode, it demonstrated the capacity to sustain the water decomposition reaction for over 400 hours at an impressive current density of 2.03 mA/cm². This stands in stark contrast to untreated photoelectrodes, which typically witness performance degradation within just 5 hours—illuminating the extent of stability achieved through this protective innovation.
Additionally, the versatile protective layer developed by the team can also be deployed on a variety of metal oxide-based photoelectrodes, such as iron oxide (Fe2O3), indicating a broad applicability for future developments in the field.
Professor Jeong-gi Ryu remarked, “The outcomes of this research represent a crucial breakthrough in the pursuit of low-cost, high-stability solar water decomposition technologies.” He further expressed optimism about the potential contribution of this work to the advancement of other photoelectrochemical systems aimed at generating valuable resources via solar energy.
The findings from this pivotal study were published in the esteemed international academic journal ‘Nature Communications’ on November 1. The research was spearheaded by Dr. Bae Sang-hyun from the Department of Chemistry at UZH, with contributions from UNIST doctoral student Min-jung Kim and Dr. Yu-ri Choi. The study received financial backing from both the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF).
Allowing the beneficial charge carriers (holes) to pass through. This selective transport means that the photoelectrodes can efficiently contribute to the water-splitting reaction without succumbing to rapid deterioration.
In their experiments, this newly formed hybrid protective layer was applied to a bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photoelectrode, achieving unprecedented stability. While conventional methods led to performance declines within hours, this innovative approach sustained the activity of the photoelectrode for over 400 hours, representing a monumental improvement in durability.
Moreover, the protective layer is versatile and can be effectively utilized on other metal oxide-based photoelectrodes, such as iron oxide (Fe2O3), expanding its potential applications. This versatility enhances the scope of solar hydrogen production by allowing the use of various materials, which could lead to lower production costs and increased accessibility.
Professor Ryu emphasizes the significance of this research, stating it marks an important breakthrough in developing low-cost and highly stable solar water decomposition technology. He anticipates that the findings will not only facilitate advancements in solar hydrogen production but will also influence the development of other photoelectrochemical cells that harness solar energy to create high-value resources.
The research’s results have garnered attention in the scientific community, recently published in the international journal *Nature Communications* on November 1. The first author, Dr. Bae Sang-hyun from the University of Zurich, along with the contributions of UNIST doctoral student Min-jung Kim and Dr. Yu-ri Choi, underscores the collaborative efforts driving this innovative research.
Supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), this research exemplifies the global collaboration needed to tackle the challenges of climate change and energy sustainability in the modern world. As we look toward a future powered by renewable energy, such advancements in technology illuminate the path forward, reminding us of the exciting possibilities that lie ahead in the realm of solar energy solutions.