Zero-carbon-emission electrochemistry-thermochemistry-assembled full-spectrum solar fuel production

Tao Zhu, Wencheng Fang, Xinrui Chen, Bingxin Liu, Hao Feng, Ying Zhang, Jingjing Duan, Dong Liu and Qiang Li

Applied Energy, 2025, vol. 386, issue C, No S0306261925003411

Abstract: In this work, hydrogen production, that achieves the combination of mild reaction condition, near zero carbon emission and high energy conversion efficiency, was demonstrated by a Zero‑carbon-emission Electrochemistry-Thermochemistry Assembly (ZETA) driven by full-spectrum solar energy. The proof-of-concept ZETA system was built by the successful integration of thermochemical methanol steam reforming (MSR) driven by long-wavelength photons, and photovoltaic powered electrochemical reduction of MSR produced CO2 driven by short-wavelength photons. The cascaded utilization of solar energy and the cycle of carbon element were enabled by a novel spectral splitting method. The solar-to-fuel energy conversion efficiency of ∼20 % was demonstrated both experimentally and theoretically using commercial MSR catalysts and silicon solar cell panels. ZETA approach holds promise to advance beyond solar photo-electrochemical water splitting (unable to use low-energy photons below the band gap) and conventional solar-driven MSR (with CO2 emission).

Keywords: Solar fuel; Full spectrum; Electrochemical CO2 reduction; Methanol reforming (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125611

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