Fundamental problems of hydrogen and renewable energy and fuel all technologies

Photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical systems for production of hydrogen from renewable sources based on sensitive to visible light, low toxic semiconductor nanomaterials

Electron micrographs of nanostructured individual and composite photoactive materials.
1 – KNb₃O₈ , 2 - K₃H₃Nb_{10 ,8}O₃₀ , 3 - ТіО₂ microspheres, 4 – FTO / TiO₂ / Sb₂S₃ composites.

Area of applications

Photosensitive components of photocatalytic systems for hydrogen production from water and photoanodes of solar cells for convertion of solar energy into electricity.

Brief description

Photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical systems may be created based on the obtained materials for production of hydrogen and electricity under sunlight.

Expected properties

High photocatalytic activity in the processes of hydrogen production from a wide range of renewable electron donor compounds. High converting ratios of sunlight into electrical energy. Sensitivity to UV light and the visible range of the spectrum.

Advantages

Simple methods of obtaining nanostructured semiconductor materials. The absence of highly toxic elements both in the final material and at all production stages. Sensitivity to UV light and the visible range of the spectrum. High photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical activity of the obtained materials.

Competitors

The development of photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical systems based on nanostructured semiconductors is carried out in many leading laboratories of the world.

Project development

The methods of synthesis of a number of nanostructured semiconductor materials and composites are developed, their activity is tested as photocatalysts (ZnS / ZnS_xO_1-x, KNb₃O₈, K₃Н₃Nb_10,8O₃₀ і НNb₃O₈) in the process of hydrogen production from water in the presence of electron donor compounds (methanol, ethanol, i-propanol, hydrazine, dimethylhydrazine) and photoanodes (FTO / TiO₂ / CdS, FTO / TiO₂ / Sb₂S₃) of solar cells for convertion of light energy into electricity.

Intellectual property

Patent of Ukraine № 98914, C23C 18/14 (2006.01). The method of producing photocatalytic film material FTO/TiO2/CuxS / A.V.Kozytskyy, O.L.Stroyuk, S.Ya.Kuchmiy; The applicant and patentee L. V. Pisarzhevskii Institute of Physical Chemistry of NAS of Ukraine. - № u201413018; Publish. 05/12/2015. - Bull. № 9.

Contact information

V.Pysarzhevsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

Project 8 «Development of new photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical systems for production of hydrogen from renewable sources based on sensitive to visible light, low toxic semiconductor nanomaterials».

Project leader:

Kuchmiy Stepan Ya.

Member of the NAS of Ukraine,
Head of Department, prof.

Tel. +38 044 525-66-62

Е-mail: kuchmiy@inphyschem-nas.kiev.ua