What is it about?
Hydrogen is a clean fuel that could replace fossil fuels, but producing it sustainably remains a challenge. In this study, we developed a low-cost and scalable way to make durable photoanode materials, capable of absorbing light for solar water splitting. Using chemical vapour deposition (a thin film synthesis method used by chemical industry), we grew layers of metal oxides that work together to absorb sunlight and stay stable during long-term operation. This method allows the materials to be made over large areas, making them suitable for real-world applications beyond the laboratory.
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Why is it important?
Producing hydrogen from sunlight and water is one of the most promising routes to achieving a carbon-neutral energy future. However, most current materials for solar water splitting are difficult to scale up or degrade quickly when used in realistic conditions. Our method addresses both problems. It provides a way to create efficient, long-lasting materials using simple and cost-effective manufacturing processes. This is a key step toward practical, large-scale solar hydrogen production, bringing the vision of clean, sustainable fuel closer to reality.
Perspectives
We often assume that advanced materials require complex fabrication, but this research demonstrates that scalable, robust photoanodes can be made using a scalable, low-cost process. We are now using these insights to design and test up-scaled photoelectrochemical reactors that can produce hydrogen at larger scales. This next stage will move us from the laboratory to testing prototypes in the field, which is an exciting step for me as a chemical engineer.
George Creasey
Imperial College London
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Mechanically and photoelectrochemically stable WO3|BiVO4|NiFeOOH photoanodes synthesised by a scalable chemical vapour deposition method, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, January 2025, Royal Society of Chemistry,
DOI: 10.1039/d5ta00440c.
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