Advances in solar hydrogen production via two-step water-splitting thermochemical cycles based on metal redox reactions

Lan Xiao, Shuang-Ying Wu and You-Rong Li

Renewable Energy, 2012, vol. 41, issue C, 1-12

Abstract: Solar hydrogen production via two-step water-splitting thermochemical cycle is an appealing and completely sustainable “green” process. This paper attempts to present a review on this area with aspect to redox working materials, reactor design technology, general evaluation etc. Numerous types of solar chemical reactors have been designed and/or demonstrated for several decades. A great number of redox pairs have been considered, among which ZnO/Zn and iron-based oxide (Fe1−xMx)3O4/(Fe1-xMx)1-yO (M = Ni, Mn, Co, Mg, etc.) are the most promising redox working materials that have been extensively investigated. New redox pairs, such as SnO2/SnO, CeO2/Ce2O3, GeO2/GeO, MgO/Mg etc., have also been proposed in recent years due to their distinct and potential features. A summary of different redox working materials used in solar hydrogen production via two-step water-splitting thermochemical cycles existing in the world is presented in a tabular form. Also, we give a rational assessment on solar hydrogen production via two-step water-splitting thermochemical cycles with regard to the advantages, limitations and estimated economic performance.

Keywords: Solar hydrogen production; Solar chemical reactor; Redox working materials; Water-splitting; Thermochemical cycle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (19)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:41:y:2012:i:c:p:1-12

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2011.11.023

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