Design and construction of a photocatalytic reactor for hydrogen generation

• Main Author: Chen, Zhong.
• Other Authors: School of Materials Science & Engineering
• Format: Research Report
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Ecomaterials
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/17230
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The main objective of the supplementary equipment project is to design and construct a photocatalytic reactor that carries out solar-water cleavage experiment as well as measures the amount of H2 and O2 generated. The drive for such a project comes from the worldwide growing interests in research on sustainable energy. Hydrogen is the inevitable ultimate replacement for fossil fuels as there is no associated pollution after burning. In view of the abundant water and solar illumination on the earth, photo-cleavage of water is a very attractive way to produce hydrogen and oxygen. Although the concept of using semiconductors for solar water splitting has been proven beyond doubt, the productivity remains low. Much more research is needed to further improve the efficiency of energy harvest and hydrogen productivity.