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Nanocrystalline
Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Production from Splitting
of Water by Visible Light--Materials Modification, Inc., 2721-D Merrilee Drive, Fairfax, VA
22031; 703-560-1371; www.matmod.com
Dr. Ramachandran
Radhakrishnan, Principal Investigator, radha@matmod.com
Dr. Tirumalai
S. Sudarshan, Business Official, sudarshan@matmod.com
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-07ER84778
Amount: $100,000
Hydrogen
has been widely considered as a clean and renewable energy alternative to coal,
natural gas, and other fossil fuels. A
potential method for the large-scale production of hydrogen involves the photoelectrochemical splitting of water, using solar
energy. Research during the last two
decades has shown that metal oxide photocatalysts are
effective for overall water splitting; however, most of the metal-oxide photocatalysts developed to date only function in the
ultraviolet region, due to their large band gaps (>3 eV). Although a number of photocatalysts
driven by visible light have been proposed as potential candidates for this
purpose, a satisfactory material has yet to be devised. A successful material would need band edge
positions suitable for overall water splitting, a band gap energy smaller than
2.2 eV, and stability in an aqueous solution. This project will prepare nanocrystalline,
non-oxide semiconductor materials and evaluate their photoelectrochemical
efficiency in the splitting of water using solar energy. In Phase I, a proprietary microwave
plasma-assisted synthetic process will be used to synthesize nanopowders. A photoelectrochemical cell will be built for the reliable
measurement of the efficiency of the photocatalysts. In Phase II, an efficient photocatalyst
will be selected from Phase I results for further development.
Commercial
Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The nano-photocatalyst should have a wide range of commercial
applications, including production of hydrogen for chemical industry,
environmental remediation of organic contaminants in water, solar cells, and
self-cleaning hydrophilic windows.