In situ photocatalytically enhanced thermogalvanic cells for electricity and hydrogen production

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Wang, Yijin; Zhang, Youzi; Xin, Xu; Yang, Jiabao; Wang, Maohuai; Wang, Ruiling; Guo, Peng; Huang, Wenjing; Sobrido, Ana Jorge; Wei, Bingqing; Li, Xuanhua
• 署名单位: Northwestern Polytechnical University; Northwestern Polytechnical University; City University of Hong Kong; Nanyang Technological University; University of London; Queen Mary University London; University of Delaware
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-11497
• DOI: 10.1126/science.adg0164
• 发表日期: 2023-07-21
• 页码: 291-296
• 关键词: carbon-nanotube; POWER; thermopower

摘要

High-performance thermogalvanic cells have the potential to convert thermal energy into electricity, but their effectiveness is limited by the low concentration difference of redox ions. We report an in situ photocatalytically enhanced redox reaction that generates hydrogen and oxygen to realize a continuous concentration gradient of redox ions in thermogalvanic devices. A linear relation between thermopower and hydrogen production rate was established as an essential design principle for devices. The system exhibited a thermopower of 8.2 millivolts per kelvin and a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of up to 0.4%. A large-area generator (112 square centimeters) consisting of 36 units yielded an open-circuit voltage of 4.4 volts and a power of 20.1 milliwatts, as well 0.5 millimoles of hydrogen and 0.2 millimoles of oxygen after 6 hours of outdoor operation.