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Newly developed hydrogel nanocomposite for the mass production of hydrogen

- A new type of floatable photocatalytic platform composed of hydrogel nanocomposites efficiently proceeds hydrogen evolution reaction, even by using plastic wastes -

A research team led by Prof. HYEON Taeghwan at the Center for Nanoparticle Research within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in Seoul, South Korea has developed a new photocatalytic platform for the mass production of hydrogen. The group’s study on the photocatalytic platform led to the development of a floatable photocatalytic matrix, which allows efficient hydrogen evolution reaction with clear advantages over conventional hydrogen production platforms such as film or panel types.

The importance of alternative energy has recently increased due to global challenges such as environmental pollution and climate change. Among several candidates for alternative energy sources, hydrogen energy harvested by photocatalysis is particularly highlighted for its sustainable green energy production. Accordingly, much research and development have been made to enhance the intrinsic reaction efficiency of photocatalysts. However, research on the form factor of photocatalytic systems, which is critical for their practical application and commercialization, has not yet been actively explored.

Usually, current systems fix catalyst powder or nanoparticles onto different surfaces, such as particulate sheet-type, film-type, and flat panel-type platforms, which are submerged under water. They also face practical issues such as the leaching of catalysts, poor mass transfer, and reverse reactions. They also require additional devices to separate and collect the generated hydrogen from water, which adds to the complexity of the device and increases the costs.

The team at the Center for Nanoparticle Research within the IBS, led by Prof. Hyeon, designed a new type of photocatalytic platform that floats on the water for efficient hydrogen production. This new platform has a bilayer structure, which consists of an upper photocatalytic layer and a lower supporting layer (Figure 1A). Both layers are composed of a porous structural polymer that endows high surface tension to the platform (Figure 1B). In addition, the platform is fabricated in the form of cryo aerogel, a solid substance filled with gas inside, exhibiting low density. As a result, this elastomer-hydrogel embedded with photocatalysts can float on water (Figure 1C).

This platform exhibits clear advantages in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction: first, light attenuation by water is prevented, resulting in efficient solar energy conversion. Second, the product, hydrogen gas, can be easily diffused into the air, avoiding reverse oxidation reactions and preserving high reaction yield. Third, the water can be easily supplied to the catalysts located inside the elastomer-hydrogel matrix due to its porosity. Last, catalysts are stably immobilized inside the matrix for long-term operation without leaching issues (Figure 2).

The researchers experimentally proved the superior hydrogen evolution performance of the floatable platform, compared to that of the conventional submerged platform (Figure 3A, B). Furthermore, the scalability of the platform, which is essential for potential industrialization, was also demonstrated under natural sunlight. It was confirmed that about 80 mL of hydrogen can be produced by the floatable photocatalytic platform using copper single atom and titania catalysts with an area of 1 m2 (Figure 3C-E). Even after 2 weeks of operation in seawater containing various microorganisms and floating matter, the hydrogen evolution performance of the platform was not compromised.

Prof. Kim states, “The proposed platform can even produce hydrogen from solutions that dissolve household waste, such as polyethylene terephthalate bottles. Consequently, the platform can be a solution for recycling wastes, which contributes to an environment-friendly society.”

Notably, this study presents a generalized platform for efficient photocatalysis that is not just limited to hydrogen production. It is possible to replace the catalytic component for various desired uses, without changing the floatable aerogel material properties of the overall platform. This guarantees the wide applicability of the platform to other photocatalytic reactions, such as oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen peroxide production, and generation of various organic compounds.

“This study makes great progress in the field of photocatalysis and showcases the potential of green hydrogen production at sea with world-class performance. The distinctive material features, high performance, and broad applicability in the field of photocatalysis of our platform will undoubtedly open a new chapter in alternative energy,” remarked Prof. Hyeon.



Figure 1.
        A.Floatable photocatalytic platforms are composed of bilayer structures, a photocatalytic layer, and a supporting layer.
        B.The porous structure of the platform.
        C.The porous structure of the platform features floatability.
Figure 1.
A.Floatable photocatalytic platforms are composed of bilayer structures, a photocatalytic layer, and a supporting layer.
B.The porous structure of the platform.
C.The porous structure of the platform features floatability.

Figure 2.
        Floatable photocatalytic platforms have clear advantages in hydrogen evolution reaction, in terms of efficient light delivery, facile gas separation, enhanced surface tension, stable catalyst immobilization, suppressed back-oxidation (reverse reaction), and facile supply of water.
Figure 2.
Floatable photocatalytic platforms have clear advantages in hydrogen evolution reaction, in terms of efficient light delivery, facile gas separation, enhanced surface tension, stable catalyst immobilization, suppressed back-oxidation (reverse reaction), and facile supply of water.

Figure 3.
        A, B. Hydrogen evolution performance of the floatable platform, compared to submerged one.
        C. Hydrogen production by floatable platform with an area of 1 m2.
        D. Optical image of the arrayed floatable platform with an area of 1 m2.
        E. Schematic illustration of the hydrogen production facility with the floatable platform with an area of 1 m2.
Figure 3.
A, B. Hydrogen evolution performance of the floatable platform, compared to submerged one.
C. Hydrogen production by floatable platform with an area of 1 m2.
D. Optical image of the arrayed floatable platform with an area of 1 m2.
E. Schematic illustration of the hydrogen production facility with the floatable platform with an area of 1 m2.


Notes for editors

- Reference
Wang Hee Lee, Chan Woo Lee, Gi Doo Cha, Byoung-Hoon Lee, Jae Hwan Jeong, Hyunseo Park, Junhyeok Heo, Megalamane S. Bootharaju, Sung-Hyuk Sunwoo, Jeong Hyun Kim, Kyung Hyun Ahn, Dae-Hyeong Kim, Taeghwan Hyeon. Nature Nanotechnology.. DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01385-4


- Media Contact
For further information or to request media assistance, please contact Prof. Taeghwan Hyeon at the Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS) (thyeon@snu.ac.kr) or William I. Suh at the IBS Public Relations Team (willisuh@ibs.re.kr).


- About the Institute for Basic Science (IBS)
IBS was founded in 2011 by the government of the Republic of Korea with the sole purpose of driving forward the development of basic science in South Korea. IBS has 4 research institutes and 33 research centers as of January 2023. There are eleven physics, three mathematics, five chemistry, nine life science, two earth science, and three interdisciplinary research centers.

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Last Update 2023-11-28 14:20