Solid-state photoelectrochemical production of hydrogen

The project explores the viability of a novel way to use solar energy to split water, producing hydrogen. This involves the use of a semiconductor electrode on a solid-state high temperature proton conducting electrolyte so as to enable direct formation o f dry hydrogen on the cathode, utilising concentrated solar power, allowing the cell to heat up, utilising the temperature for evaporation of water and forming a thermal gradient, and utilising the so formed thermoelectric force on the protons in the soli d electrolyte as extra driving power. The project is a physics-chemistry collaborative project that educates and trains one PhD and one post-doc over 3 years.