A highly integrated, stand-alone photoelectrochemical device for large-scale solar hydrogen production

TL;DR

This paper presents a scalable, stand-alone photoelectrochemical device for large-scale solar hydrogen production, demonstrating high efficiency and practical features like gas separation, using inexpensive materials.

Contribution

It introduces a scalable 64 cm² device with triple-junction silicon cells and a novel catalyst, advancing PEC technology towards real-world applications.

Findings

Achieved up to 4.67% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency without bias

Demonstrated scalability and gas separation in a 3D printed frame

Used earth-abundant materials for cost-effective production

Abstract

Although photoelectrochemical water splitting is likely to be an important and powerful tool to provide environmentally friendly hydrogen, most developments in this field have been conducted on a laboratory scale so far. In order for the technology to make a sizeable impact on the energy transition, scaled up devices made of inexpensive and earth abundant materials must be developed. In this work, we demonstrate a scalable (64 cm2 aperture area) artificial photoelectrochemical device composed of triple-junction thin-film silicon solar cells in conjunction with an electrodeposited bifunctional nickel iron molybdenum water splitting catalyst. Our device shows a solar to hydrogen efficiency of up to 4.67% (5.33% active area) without bias assistance and wire connection. Furthermore, gas separation was enabled by incorporating a membrane in a 3D printed device frame.