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SPP 1613:  Regeneratively Produced Fuels by Light Driven Water Splitting: Investigation of Involved Elementary Processes and Perspectives of Technologic Implementation

Subject Area Chemistry
Materials Science and Engineering
Physics
Thermal Engineering/Process Engineering
Term from 2012 to 2020
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 198634447
 
Final Report Year 2020

Final Report Abstract

The efficient and economic competitive production of fuels e.g. H2 through light driven water splitting is widely considered to be the most favourable future renewable energy technology and is intensively investigated all over the world. Consequently, the proposal for the priority program (SPP) „SolarH2” was accepted by the German Science foundation (DFG) in early 2012 as SPP1613, and the program started at the kick-off meeting in November 2012. The aim of the SPP SolarH2 was to merge distinct research approaches for advanced photoelectrochemical cells involving different disciplines and expertise as e.g. the preparation of photoactive semiconductors and adapted device structures, the synthesis and characterization of electrocatalysts as well as the fundamental analysis of the involved elementary processes and their theoretical simulation. The objective of the SPP was to investigate artificial photosynthesis based on inorganic semiconductors from a fundamental scientific perspective as well as the material science engineering improvements required for its technological implementation. New basic approaches were required that merge scientific innovation with advanced engineering strategies. In the first funding period the priority was on the development and analysis of defined model systems for understanding of those (photo)electrochemical reactions which are involved in H2O splitting at interfaces. Four different but related project areas were defined and studied in close relation to each other to reach the needed and essential synergy effects in the priority program: Photoelectrochemical, Photocatalytic, Electrocatalytic, and Model systems. Based on the obtained results and the approved projects the central research topics were shifted in the second funding period to identify the scientific material preconditions for further investigations of technologically promising systems, which may serve as basis for the subsequent necessary technological developments. Therefore, the SPP was adapted to three complimentary project areas to be studied in close relation to each other to reach the needed and essential synergy effects: Novel photoabsorbers, Advanced electrocatalysts, and Device development. The main results of the PP are i) Multijunction devices are needed as semiconductor absorber layers. Ii) The contact to the electrolyte for hydrogen and oxygen evolution must be engineered with a buried junction and adapted catalysts. Iii) With optimized systems, efficiencies and stability issues can be solved and approach PV-electrolyzer combinations. The basic understanding of the needs and future research goals for realizing an efficient synthetic artificial leaf approach to solar fuel (H2) generation has strongly improved internationally within the last years, most probably also due to the results obtained within the SPP 1613. We are convinced that its funding by the DFG was an important step forward for the reestablishment of the research on artificial fuels in Germany, its international visibility and competitiveness. We do expect a number of further efforts in this decisive research field in the next future.

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