A Thermogravimetric Temperature-Programmed Thermal Redox Protocol for Rapid Screening of Metal Oxides for Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen Production
As combinatorial and computational methods accelerate the identification of potentially suitable thermochemically-active oxides for use in solar thermochemical hydrogen production (STCH), the onus shifts to quickly evaluating predicted performance. Traditionally, this has required an experimental setup capable of directly carrying out a two-stage thermochemical water-splitting process. But this can be a difficult endeavor, as most off-the-shelf equipment cannot adequately deal simultaneously with the high temperatures, varying oxygen partial pressures, and high H2O partial pressures required; achieving sufficient temporal sensitivity to accurately quantify the kinetics is also a major challenge. However, as proposed here, a less complicated experiment can be used as a first screening for thermochemical water splitting potential. Temperature-Programmed Thermal Redox (TPTR) using thermogravimetry evaluates the thermal reduction behavior of materials. This technique does not require water splitting or CO2-splitting analogs but can nonetheless predict water-splitting performance. Three figures of merit are obtained from the TPTR experiment: reduction onset temperature, extent of reduction, and extent of recovery upon reoxidation. These metrics can collectively be used to determine if a material is capable of thermochemical water-splitting, and, to good approximation, predict whether the thermodynamics are favorable for use under more challenging high-conversion conditions. This paper discusses the pros and cons of using TPTR and proposes a protocol for use within the STCH community.
- Research Organization:
- Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Fuel Cell Technologies Office; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- EE0008087; NA0003525
- OSTI ID:
- 1862088
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1899036; OSTI ID: 2007199
- Journal Information:
- Frontiers in Energy Research, Journal Name: Frontiers in Energy Research Vol. 10; ISSN 2296-598X
- Publisher:
- Frontiers Media SACopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- Switzerland
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
CeTi2O6—A Promising Oxide for Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen Production
Double-Site Substitution of Ce into (Ba, Sr)MnO3 Perovskites for Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen Production