A new and sustainable photoelectrode for hydrogen production

Researchers from Irig, Institut Néel, and EPFL in Lausanne developed a sustainable electrode for the production of hydrogen by photoelectrolysis, a CO₂-free process. This photosynthesis-inspired innovation uses non-toxic and abundantly-available materials, and features a p-type semiconductor interface that absorbs light with a molecular catalyst.

The semiconductor material, a copper iron oxide, is covered with a nanometers-thick layer of titanium oxide deposited using ALD. The cobalt-based catalyst is placed on top of this layer. The system can produce hydrogen from aqueous solutions.

This hybrid architecture is a breakthrough innovation that is still at the basic research stage. One aspect that must be substantially improved is current density.

Contact: vincent.artero@cea.fr

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