(Invited) High Efficiency, Ultra-Stable Solar Hydrogen Production

Abstract

Solar water splitting and green hydrogen fuel production has been extensively studied but are confronted with fundamental challenges of simultaneously achieving both high efficiency and long-term stability. In this presentation, I will report on our recent developments of gallium nitride (GaN) based photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic water splitting studies. By growing GaN nanostructures under N-rich conditions, the surfaces can be transformed to be gallium oxynitride during harsh photocatalysis reaction, which not only further protects the surfaces of the light absorber but leads to significantly enhanced photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance. Moreover, we have developed unique photocatalytic process wherein high efficiency solar hydrogen can be produced utilizing tap water, or seawater, without any wire connection, or electricity input. The demonstration of large-scale solar water splitting systems and the performance will be discussed and reported.