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Hydrogen production performance of a g-C3N4 nanofluid based concentrating photothermal-catalysis/photovoltaic-electrolysis hybrid system

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Bohao
  • Lu, Qizhao
  • Li, Jiwei
  • Zhou, Liwu
  • He, Baichuan
  • Jing, Dengwei

Abstract

A variety of solar-driven hydrogen production systems have been proposed for the utilization of full-spectrum solar energy with a view to enhancing the conversion efficiency from solar energy to hydrogen. The present study proposes a concentrating solar photothermal-catalysis/photovoltaic-electrolysis hybrid hydrogen production (CPTE-H) system, coupling a GaInP/GaAs/Ge triple-junction photovoltaic (PV) cell and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer by means of splitting fluid filters, which directly converts full-spectrum solar energy into hydrogen. The PV output, hydrogen production rate and energy conversion efficiency of the CPTE-H system were measured after spectral beam splitting (SBS) of deionized water, ethylene glycol (EG), CoSO4 solutions and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanofluids. The results demonstrate a concomitant enhancement in photovoltaic conversion efficiency, electrolytic efficiency and solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency with g-C3N4 nanofluids, thereby augmenting the overall system hydrogen production. It is noteworthy that when employing 150-ppm g-C3N4 nanofluid for SBS, the system achieves a maximum hydrogen generation rate and solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 10,902,16 μmol/h and 15.61 %, respectively. These findings suggest that g-C3N4 nanofluids have the potential to be utilized for the full solar spectrum-driven hydrogen production systems in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Bohao & Lu, Qizhao & Li, Jiwei & Zhou, Liwu & He, Baichuan & Jing, Dengwei, 2026. "Hydrogen production performance of a g-C3N4 nanofluid based concentrating photothermal-catalysis/photovoltaic-electrolysis hybrid system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PD).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pd:s0960148125018075
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124143
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    References listed on IDEAS

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