Development of basic science for highly efficient and selective photocatalytic water splitting

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H02049
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 36020:Energy-related chemistry
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Tachikawa Takashi 神戸大学, 分子フォトサイエンス研究センター, 教授 (20432437)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 光触媒 / 光水分解 / 過酸化水素 / 水素エネルギー / 太陽光利用 / 金属酸化物

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To achieve a carbon neutral society, CO2-free hydrogen production using solar energy has gained attention. If chemical products with applications in the health and food industries could be produced at the same time as hydrogen through photocatalyst-mediated solar water-splitting, it would be possible to develop solar energy conversion systems with even greater added value. In this study, we demonstrate efficient and selective production of hydrogen peroxide using photoelectrodes prepared with metal-doped hematite mesocrystals under simulated sunlight illumination. The composite oxide cocatalyst formed via segregation of tin and titanium ions doped in hematite was found to be the key to improving the efficiency and selectivity of the surface oxidation reaction.

Free Research Field

光化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

光触媒として有用なヘマタイトの表面を改質することで、これまでほとんど生成しなかった過酸化水素を高い効率と選択性で得ることに成功し、その要因の一端を明らかにした。今後は、光触媒電極の更なる高効率化や他の金属酸化物や反応系への応用展開、実用化を目指した太陽光水素・過酸化水素オンサイト製造システムの開発が期待される。