Mechanistic studies of hydrogen production over biomolecules decorated CdS nanoparticles

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K05678
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 36020:Energy-related chemistry
• Research Institution: Yamagata University
• Principal Investigator: Arima Bashir Ahmmad 山形大学, 大学院理工学研究科, 准教授 (30596549)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 太陽光エネルギー変換 / 水素製造 / ナノ光触媒

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this research, we aimed to study the mechanism of enhanced hydrogen production over CdS photocatalyst by the addition of biomolecules and to further increase the hydrogen production. As a result, the CdS samples with bio-molecules containing aromatic rings exhibited a significant increase in hydrogen production. It was found that the aromatic rings of the bio-molecules contributed to the enhancement of hydrogen generation by promoting charge separation through comprehensive interaction with the photo-generated holes in CdS. Finally, by adjusting the amount of photocatalyst during the hydrogen production experiments, we achieved an approximately eight-fold increase in hydrogen production compared to the previous report. As a result, the hydrogen production from CdS has reached a world’s top-class level.

Free Research Field

無機工業材料

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究ではバイオ分子の添加によるCdS光触媒からの水素発生量の増大の機構解明及び試料調整の最適化により水素発生量のさらなる増大を目指した。バイオ分子を利用した異例な水素発生システムを詳細に調べることでバイオナノテクノロジー分野及び光触媒の反応場に関する新たな知見が得られると共に光触媒の研究にも大きく貢献することが期待される。また、CdSナノコンポジットを利用して通常のCdSより水素発生量を約450倍の増加に成功したことで太陽光を有効に利用して水素の産業生産の実現が可能となり、現在大変開発が進んでいる燃料電池やそれを搭載した自動車の普及、地球温暖化の根本的な防止に大きく貢献できると期待される。