Researchers at Tianjin University in China have made remarkable advancements in solar-powered hydrogen production. They have developed a semi-transparent photoanode that achieves a record-breaking solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 5.1 percent, as reported by TV BRICS.
This breakthrough is a significant step towards scalable “artificial leaf” technology, which utilizes solar energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen in an environmentally friendly manner. The research team, led by Professor Wang Tuo from the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, addressed the limitations of unbiased solar water-splitting systems that generate hydrogen without the need for external voltage. Their innovative photoanode, constructed from indium sulfide, successfully balances the challenges of maintaining both conductivity and light transparency.
Professor Wang noted that their semi-transparent design accelerates the water oxidation process while allowing more photons to reach the photocathode, thereby minimizing energy losses. This device has exceeded the conventional 5 percent efficiency benchmark, achieving the highest performance for silicon photocathode systems paired with inorganic photoanodes.
Looking to the future, the researchers are optimistic that with further refinements, this technology could pave the way for cost-effective and durable artificial leaves.
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