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General heterostructure strategy of photothermal materials for scalable solar-heating hydrogen production without the consumption of artificial energy

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  • Yaguang Li

    (Hebei University
    Hebei Agricultural University
    State Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Materials & Technology, Yingli Solar)

  • Xianhua Bai

    (Hebei University)

  • Dachao Yuan

    (Hebei University
    Hebei Agricultural University)

  • Fengyu Zhang

    (Hebei University
    China University of Petroleum Beijing)

  • Bo Li

    (Hebei University)

  • Xingyuan San

    (Hebei University)

  • Baolai Liang

    (Hebei University)

  • Shufang Wang

    (Hebei University)

  • Jun Luo

    (Hebei University
    Tianjin University of Technology)

  • Guangsheng Fu

    (Hebei University)

Abstract

Solar-heating catalysis has the potential to realize zero artificial energy consumption, which is restricted by the low ambient solar heating temperatures of photothermal materials. Here, we propose the concept of using heterostructures of black photothermal materials (such as Bi2Te3) and infrared insulating materials (Cu) to elevate solar heating temperatures. Consequently, the heterostructure of Bi2Te3 and Cu (Bi2Te3/Cu) increases the 1 sun-heating temperature of Bi2Te3 from 93 °C to 317 °C by achieving the synergy of 89% solar absorption and 5% infrared radiation. This strategy is applicable for various black photothermal materials to raise the 1 sun-heating temperatures of Ti2O3, Cu2Se, and Cu2S to 295 °C, 271 °C, and 248 °C, respectively. The Bi2Te3/Cu-based device is able to heat CuOx/ZnO/Al2O3 nanosheets to 305 °C under 1 sun irradiation, and this system shows a 1 sun-driven hydrogen production rate of 310 mmol g−1 h−1 from methanol and water, at least 6 times greater than that of all solar-driven systems to date, with 30.1% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency and 20-day operating stability. Furthermore, this system is enlarged to 6 m2 to generate 23.27 m3/day of hydrogen under outdoor sunlight irradiation in the spring, revealing its potential for industrial manufacture.

Suggested Citation

  • Yaguang Li & Xianhua Bai & Dachao Yuan & Fengyu Zhang & Bo Li & Xingyuan San & Baolai Liang & Shufang Wang & Jun Luo & Guangsheng Fu, 2022. "General heterostructure strategy of photothermal materials for scalable solar-heating hydrogen production without the consumption of artificial energy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-28364-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28364-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Yaguang Li & Xianhua Bai & Dachao Yuan & Chenyang Yu & Xingyuan San & Yunna Guo & Liqiang Zhang & Jinhua Ye, 2023. "Cu-based high-entropy two-dimensional oxide as stable and active photothermal catalyst," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Li, Sha & Haussener, Sophia, 2023. "Design and operational guidelines of solar-driven catalytic conversion of CO2 and H2 to fuels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).

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