The chemical reaction that breaks down water into oxygen and hydrogen is known as water splitting. Water splitting plays a crucial role in advancing clean energy technologies, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enabling a sustainable future. Its applications span from renewable energy production and storage to various industrial and scientific domains, making it a subject of great importance in addressing global energy and environmental challenges.
The primary object of this experiment is to develop an efficient, stable, and environmentally friendly photo-catalyst for water splitting. TiO2 primarily absorbs ultraviolet (UV) light, which constitutes only a small portion of the solar spectrum. Modifying TiO2 to have a narrower bandgap or introducing doping elements can extend its light absorption into the visible range, where a larger portion of solar energy is available. Adding co-catalysts to TiO2 surfaces can improve charge separation and increase reaction rates.
Fuel cells are electrochemical cells-generate electricity by combining oxygen and hydrogen using a chemical reaction. Most common fuel for the fuel cell is hydrogen. The hydrogen which was generated by water splitting using freely available solar energy can be utilize in the power generation of fuel cells. Fuel cells are high efficiency and has low environmental impact (waste product is water). Also, generating hydrogen and later use for fuel cells is an alternative way of energy storage and low cost method rather than electricity generated by solar cells and stored in the batteries. Fuel cells only need a small storage unit, the batteries would have to be largely over size to meet the same storage demand. Also, fuel cells are very useful in remote locations (Space craft, remote weather stations, military applications). The project will support to produce cleaner sustainable energy and also reduce the cost for energy storage.