| PROPOSAL NUMBER: | 02-II A6.02-7948 (For NASA Use Only - Chron: 024051 ) |
| PHASE-I CONTRACT NUMBER: | NAS2-03114 |
| SUBTOPIC TITLE: | Nanotechnology |
| PROPOSAL TITLE: | Stress-induced bandgap-shifted titania photocatalyst for hydrogen generation |
SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN:
(Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/ZIP, Phone)
Nanoptek
250 Old Marlboro Rd.
Concord , MA 01742 - 4128
(978 ) 371 - 7339
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER:
(Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/ZIP, Phone)
John Guerra
jguerra@nanoptek.com
250 Old Marlboro Rd.
Concord , MA 01742 - 4128
(978 ) 371 - 7339
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
Phase II will continue developing the efficient production of hydrogen from water using sunlight and nanostructured titania thin-film semiconductor electrodes achieved in Phase I, delivering a solar hydrogen generator. Titania?s (TiO2) absorption cutoff is moved from UV (414 nm) to visible (529 nm) by shifting the energy bandgap to ~2.0 eV , through stress induced by the nanostructured template. The disorder/strain distribution forms amorphous/strained titania with a high density of states localized within the energy band gap. Absorption of 29% of the solar spectrum is achieved, more than 5X improvement over single-crystal TiO2. The nanostructures enhance total absorption through multiple total internal reflections, eliminating the need to track the sun. A prototype three-electrode electrochemical cell evolves hydrogen at 2 mL/(s?W?m2) ? a solar-efficiency of 8% after light source correction; electrochemistry data shows 20% efficiency is attainable. Efficient conversion of water to hydrogen fuel with sunlight is ideal for closed environments like the International Space Station, with continuous recycling of hydrogen from contaminated water back to clean water when combined with a fuel-cell electrical generator. With possible water on the moon, Mars, and other bodies in the solar system, this technology will greatly reduce the mass of space ships for future missions.
POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATION(S) (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
Phase III production of bandgap-shifted titania photoelectrolysis would provide NASA with the hardware to efficiently use solar energy to convert water to hydrogen fuel. This technology is ideal for closed environments like the International Space Station, with continuous recycling of hydrogen, using photo-electrolysis, from contaminated water back to clean water while also producing electrical power in a fuel cell. If water is confirmed on the moon, Mars, and other bodies in the solar system, efficient conversion of water to hydrogen fuel using sunlight will greatly reduce the mass of space ships for future missions to and from these bodies.
POTENTIAL NON-NASA APPLICATION(S) (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
Phase III commercial product applications include supplying clean hydrogen fuel for small-scale power generation for hospitals and businesses or home refueling of fuel cell automobiles, as well as large-scale hydrogen supply for local utilities and ?super? fueling stations located along major interstates. With this point-of-use technology, problems with hydrogen transport, leakage, and storage are reduced or eliminated. Hydrogen flow rates and efficiencies determined in Phase 1 project a payback in 2 years for residential and commercial installations, and a reduction of the price of hydrogen by a factor of 4 assuming a realizable projected photo-electrolytic cell lifetime of 8 years.