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Frontiers in Energy

ISSN 2095-1701

ISSN 2095-1698(Online)

CN 11-6017/TK

Postal Subscription Code 80-972

2018 Impact Factor: 1.701

Front. Energy    2021, Vol. 15 Issue (3) : 596-599    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-021-0745-0
MINI REVIEW
Revisiting solar hydrogen production through photovoltaic-electrocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting
Zhiliang WANG(), Yuang GU, Lianzhou WANG()
Nanomaterials Centre, School of Chemical Engineering and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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Abstract

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is regarded as a promising way for solar hydrogen production, while the fast development of photovoltaic-electrolysis (PV-EC) has pushed PEC research into an embarrassed situation. In this paper, a comparison of PEC and PV-EC in terms of efficiency, cost, and stability is conducted and briefly discussed. It is suggested that the PEC should target on high solar-to-hydrogen efficiency based on cheap semiconductors in order to maintain its role in the technological race of sustainable hydrogen production.

Keywords hydrogen production      photovoltaic      electrocatalysis      photoelectrocatalysis      water splitting     
Corresponding Author(s): Zhiliang WANG,Lianzhou WANG   
Online First Date: 18 May 2021    Issue Date: 09 October 2021
 Cite this article:   
Zhiliang WANG,Yuang GU,Lianzhou WANG. Revisiting solar hydrogen production through photovoltaic-electrocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting[J]. Front. Energy, 2021, 15(3): 596-599.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fie/EN/10.1007/s11708-021-0745-0
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fie/EN/Y2021/V15/I3/596
Fig.1  Two pathways for solar hydrogen production by PEC and PV-EC water splitting.
PEC PV-EC
Highest reported STH efficiency 3% 30%
Predicted H2 price at 10% STH >US $8.43/kg H2 About US $6.22/kg H2
Stability About 1000 light hoursa >10000 h (based on EC)b
Highest current density About 25 mA/cm2 >500 mA/cm2 (based on EC)
EPT >5 a About 1 a
TRLc 3–4 8–9
Tab.1  Comparison of PEC and PV-EC targeted on practical solar hydrogen production
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