(Invited) Materials Challenges in Advanced Water Splitting Technologies

Abstract

The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO) has made significant progress in hydrogen and fuel cell technology advancement and cost reduction. With the rollouts of fuel-cell vehicles by major automotive manufacturers underway, enabling technologies for the widespread production of affordable, renewable, low carbon footprint hydrogen becomes increasingly important. FCTO’s Hydrogen Production Program supports a broad range of H2 production pathways, ranging from nearer-term to longer term technologies. Advanced water splitting (AWS), including electrolysis, photoelectrochecmical and thermochemical routes, is one of the more versatile pathways and can play a significant role. A general overview of FCTO’s H2 Production Program with a focus on advanced water splitting technologies will be provided. Fundamental materials challenges remain which limit conversion efficiency and durability of AWS H2 production pathways, therefore limiting large-scale technoeconomic viability. Expensive materials are commonly required. Innovations are needed in the development of functional materials and interfaces which address the thermodynamic and kinetic limitations to performance and lifetime at the macro-, meso- and nano-scales. Catalytic advances, especially with respect to low- and non-platinum group metal (pgm) hydrogen and oxygen evolution catalyst materials in both acidic and basic environments, are needed for low temperature electrolysis operation. Examples of ongoing electrolysis and photoelectrochemical R&D will be discussed.