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The future of green hydrogen: OHPERA’s breakthroughs in photoactive materials and photoelectrodes

At the heart of the global effort to combat climate change lies an urgent need for sustainable energy solutions. OHPERA is at the forefront of this movement, harnessing sunlight to drive the production of green hydrogen (H₂) while simultaneously converting industrial waste into high-value chemicals. This dual-purpose innovation combines environmental management with economic opportunity, offering a compelling path forward for clean energy and resource efficiency.

Solar-driven hydrogen

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen generation offers a revolutionary approach to energy sustainability. By using water as a source of protons and electrons, this method transforms sunlight into green hydrogen with zero carbon emissions. OHPERA pushes this concept further by integrating industrial waste valorisation into the process. Using glycerol as a waste stream, the project converts a by-product of industries such as biodiesel production into valuable chemicals, achieving both ecological and economic gains.

Central to this innovation is the development of photoelectrodes — materials that can absorb sunlight, generate charges, and drive chemical reactions with high efficiency. This is where the science behind OHPERA takes a bold step forward.

Lead-free halide perovskite nanocrystals

At the core of OHPERA’s photoelectrodes are lead-free halide perovskite nanocrystals. These advanced materials offer exceptional optoelectronic properties, essential for capturing sunlight and converting it into usable energy. Unlike their lead-based counterparts, these nanocrystals eliminate concerns about toxicity and align with the project’s commitment to avoiding critical raw materials. The process begins with synthesising and stabilising the nanocrystals through innovative techniques such as ligand engineering. They are passivated with organic ligands, such as didodecyldimethylammonium bromide, which reduces structural defects and improves resistance to moisture. This approach enhances their structural stability and optical performance, making them ideal candidates for use in PEC devices. The materials are then tailored to operate in tandem with selective layers to maximise light absorption, charge separation, and collection efficiencies.

Developing high-performance photoelectrodes is a delicate balancing act of material science and engineering. OHPERA employs cutting-edge methods, such as electrophoretic deposition, screen printing, and spray coating, to craft precisely controlled layers of halide perovskite nanocrystals. These techniques allow for the fine-tuning of layer thickness, porosity, and composition, ensuring optimal performance and scalability. The ultimate goal? To create photoelectrodes capable of delivering a photocurrent density of approximately 15 mA·cm⁻² and integrating them into a proof-of-concept PEC device. With a target of 10 cm² electrode area, the device aims to operate stably for 100 hours while achieving over 90% Faradaic efficiency for hydrogen production.

A vision for the future

The journey doesn’t end with fabrication. Each photoelectrode undergoes rigorous evaluation to ensure durability and performance under real-world conditions. From advanced microscopy techniques like SEM and TEM to different spectroscopic analyses, every layer of the photoelectrodes is scrutinised for its structural, optical, and electronic properties. These insights pave the way for further optimisation and provide a roadmap for understanding the intricate processes behind photoexcitation, charge transport, and recombination dynamics.

OHPERA’s innovation in photoactive materials and photoelectrodes represents more than just scientific progress. It’s a blueprint for integrating renewable energy with waste valorisation. By demonstrating the potential of solar-driven hydrogen production and industrial waste treatment, the project offers a scalable, sustainable solution to some of the most pressing challenges of our time. As the team continues to refine its technology, the promise of a zero-carbon, resource-efficient future grows closer. Through collaboration and cutting-edge research, the OHPERA project is lighting the way forward.

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