Recent advances in full-spectrum solar photothermocatalytic hydrogen production
Solar hydrogen production is one of the key technological approaches for the vigorous development and utilization of renewable energy in China under the backdrop of the"carbon peak and neutrality"goals.Full-spectrum solar photothermolcatalytic hydrogen production,as a novel green hydrogen generation technology,leverages the synergistic advantages of photocatalysis and thermal catalysis to efficiently drive hydrogen production reactions under relatively mild conditions,achieving comprehensive utilization of full-spectrum solar energy.Currently,this technology significant development potential across various hydrogen production systems has demonstrated.However,there are significant differences in the photothermal catalytic mechanisms and hydrogen production efficiencies across various hydrogen generation systems,which urgently require further systematic organization and integration.Hence,recent advances in relevant research both domestically and internationally are reviewed in this paper.The solar photothermocatalytic hydrogen production technology of different hydrogen source systems(water systems,carbon-based fuel systems,and nitrogen-based raw material systems)is comprehensively reviewed and categorized.In addition,the mechanisms,performance advantages,and technical characteristics of photothermocatalysis are emphatically summarized.Specifically,photothermaocatalytic hydrogen production systems from water are categorized into two approaches:freshwater-based hydrogen production and seawater-based hydrogen production.The promotion of hydrogen production reactions and the enhancement of the full-spectrum solar utilization efficiency in photothermocatalytic water splitting are due to the elevation of the reaction temperature and the acceleration of charge carrier migration and separation,which are facilitated by the unique heterojunction structure or localized surface plasmon resonance effects of the catalyst.Photothermocatalytic hydrogen production systems from carbon-based fuels are subdivided into hydrogen production from methanol,methane,and other carbon-based fuels.The characteristics of the photothermocatalytic technology in this system are to reduce reaction activation energy,enhance the selective conversion of intermediate products,and prevent catalyst poisoning or deactivation.In addition,the photothermocatalytic systems for nitrogen-based raw materials include hydrogen production via ammonia decomposition and from urea wastewater.Water and urea in urea wastewater are simultaneously utilized for hydrogen production through photothermocatalytic technology,realizing a reaction pathway for dual hydrogen source hydrogen generation,while potentially solving the problem of wastewater treatment.Under the trend of energy transition in China,full-spectrum solar photothermocatalytic hydrogen production,characterized by its wide availability of hydrogen sources,mild reaction conditions,and high hydrogen production performance,is expected to become a significant technology for green hydrogen production.
solarfull-spectrumphotothermocatalysishydrogen productionwater systemscarbon-based fuel systemsnitrogen-based raw material systems