Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: A Korea - Norway Research Cooperation (PhotoKORNOR)

The depleting fossil fuels and altering climatic conditions increases the necessity for alternative energy technologies. Hydrogen is considered to be the energy carrier of our future due to its sustainability and environmental compatibility. Producing hydrogen in a clean and renewable way is the key in realising hydrogen as the portable energy carrier. What else can be more environmentally friendly than harvesting hydrogen from water using the energy of sunlight? The process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen with sunlight known as photo electrolysis requires materials made of semiconductors or metal oxides. Scientists call these materials photo catalysts as they absorb solar energy and get activated to break water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen gas. In this project named PhotoKorNor, researchers from Norway and South Korea are working on the synthesis of photocatalysts hematite (iron oxide mineral) and try to improve its efficiency and stability by depositing a layer of graphene over the photoelectrode. The project will help the researchers in Norway learn the process of fabricating hematite-based photoanode through hydrothermal method which the Korean partners are renowned for.

The depleting fossil fuels and altering climatic conditions increases the necessity for alternative energy technologies. Hydrogen is considered to be the energy carrier of our future due to its sustainability and environment compatibility. Currently, production of hydrogen in an economical and eco-friendly way is a major hurdle in realizing hydrogen-based economy. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is considered as one of the ultimate solutions to make the hydrogen cycle sustainable as it requires only sunlight and water to generate hydrogen. The thermodynamic voltage for water splitting under standard conditions is 1.23 V, and the photoactive materials must produce a photovoltage sufficiently high enough to drive water splitting reactions. Hematite is one of the most favorite materials for PEC water oxidation, but they suffer from poor electronic conductivity, low absorption coefficient, short hole diffusion length and high electron-hole recombination rate. This project coupled with Photongraphy aims at developing highly active and durable hematite-based photocatalysts by use of N-doped graphene. In addition to complimenting Photongraphy, we expect to gain knowledge on photoelectrochemical cell designs and state-of-the-art closed gas circulation system coupled with a gas chromatography and risks involved in this setup from the host institute, which will help the Norwegian groups to establish a similar measurement facility. Further, we expect that this cooperation would develop into a strategic partnership with the institutes in the long-term, which is one of the requirements of the bilateral projects supported by Norges forskningsråd.