Demonstration of photoreactor platform for on-sun unassisted photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation with tandem III–V photoelectrodes

Ben-Naim, Micha; Aldridge, Chase W.; Steiner, Myles A.; Nielander, Adam C.; Deustch, Todd G.; Young, James L.; Jaramillo, Thomas F.

doi:10.1016/j.checat.2021.12.013

Title: Demonstration of photoreactor platform for on-sun unassisted photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation with tandem III–V photoelectrodes

Journal Article · 19 January 2022 · Chem Catalysis

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.checat.2021.12.013 · OSTI ID:1860240

^[1]; Aldridge, Chase W. ^[2];

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Stanford Univ., CA (United States); Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Stanford Univ., CA (United States)

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a direct solar-driven technology that converts solar energy to storable chemical energy in the form of hydrogen. In addition to semiconductor and catalyst development for improved photoelectrodes, designing reactors for testing and operation of PEC systems under inherently dynamic outdoor solar illumination is necessary to further the commercial viability of PEC technology. Herein, we present a versatile photoreactor system mounted on a solar tracker for outdoor PEC testing and demonstrate unassisted PEC water splitting under real world on-sun conditions. GaInP₂/GaAs tandem absorber photoelectrodes with a MoS₂ catalyst were fabricated and exhibit >8% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency. On-sun efficiency and stability of the photoelectrodes were characterized on both sunny and partly cloudy days with continuous monitoring of insolation and weather conditions. Furthermore, the versatile photoreactor and outdoor PEC testing capabilities and methods presented here can accelerate the development of other solar fuel generating systems and technologies.

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Research Organization:: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Stanford University, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (EE-3F); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308; AC52-07NA27344; EE0008084

OSTI ID:: 1860240

Report Number(s):: LLNL-JRNL-826828; NREL/JA-5900-79643; MainId:35864; UUID:9e8c72fd-fd90-47de-a628-a6958c9732ed; MainAdminID:64119

Journal Information:: Chem Catalysis, Journal Name: Chem Catalysis Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 2; ISSN 2667-1093

Publisher:: Cell PressCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Demonstration of photoreactor platform for on-sun unassisted photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation with tandem III–V photoelectrodes

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