Nanorod Array Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production

The absence of a practical method for the production of pure hydrogen fuel keeps the potential of a hydrogen economy from being attained. What is perhaps the most-promising future source of hydrogen fuel ¿ water-splitting via sunlight, or photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production ¿ is currently rendered impractical by a number of technical and economic drawbacks related to materials properties. This project will develop novel nano-materials that will address the materials problems associated with photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. In particular, the approach will be based on a unique, three-dimensional, nanostructured architecture that will enable the attainment of the DOE targets for band gap, lifetime, and chemical conversion. In Phase I, nanotube arrays of PEC materials were fabricated and tested for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. The feasibility of the nanostructured architecture was demonstrated. In Phase II, the nanostructured architecture will be optimized using the materials developed in Phase I. Once the structure is optimized, new materials will be explored in order to produce highly efficient PEC prototypes. Finally, a stand alone system for distributed hydrogen production will be designed. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The technology should eliminate one of the major hurdles that keeps the U.S. from capitalizing upon the potential offered by hydrogen, which offers highly efficient and environmentally friendly ¿limitless¿ energy and would allow the U.S. to substantially reduce its dependence on foreign oil.