Nanorod Array Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production

The development of new technologies for a ¿hydrogen economy¿ would allow the U.S. to substantially reduce its dependence on foreign oil. However, significant technical and economic hurdles keep this potential from being attained. One of these hurdles involves the practical production of ¿clean¿ hydrogen fuel. One of the most promising sources of hydrogen, photoelectrochemical hydrogen production, or water-splitting via sunlight, is currently rendered impractical by a number of technical and economic drawbacks related to materials properties. This project will develop novel nanomaterials that will address the problems associated with the currently available materials used in photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. These novel materials will be based on a unique, three-dimensional nanostructured architecture that will enable DOE¿s targets for band gap, lifetime, and chemical conversion to be met or exceeded. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Hydrogen is quite possibly the Earth¿s perfect source of energy for the future, offering the ideal potential for highly efficient and environmentally friendly ¿limitless¿ energy. Success in this project should clear one of the major hurdles that restrains the nation from capitalizing upon the potential benefits of hydrogen.