Top > Research results > Highly efficient production of hydrogen from the sun and water, developing the world's first photocatalyst Osaka University

2017/6/4

Highly efficient production of hydrogen from the sun and water, developing the world's first photocatalyst Osaka University

University Journal Online Editorial Department

A research group led by Professor Tetsuro Mashima of the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University has developed a photocatalyst using black phosphorus, and when this photocatalyst is used, hydrogen generation from water efficiently occurs even when irradiated with visible or near-infrared light. I found that for the first time in the world.

Title to the next page [/ link] If hydrogen can be efficiently produced from sunlight and water, the possibility of a hydrogen society using hydrogen as an energy source will open up.However, the current solar energy (mainly solar cells) is more expensive than fossil fuels and has not spread, and it has been desired to develop a photocatalyst capable of producing hydrogen from solar energy with high efficiency.Conventional photocatalysts use ultraviolet light (3% for visible light and 4% for near-infrared light), which is only 44-52% of sunlight, so the efficiency of solar energy conversion from water to hydrogen was low. ..

This time, the research group used layered black phosphorus, which has strong absorption not only in ultraviolet and visible light but also in near infrared light, and layered lanthanum titanate (La2Ti2O7) as an ultrathin film consisting of several layers.We have developed a new complex consisting of these three components and gold nanoparticles that also absorb visible light with a size of several nanometers.

In this complex, black phosphorus and gold nanoparticles act as "photosensitizers".That is, black phosphorus absorbs visible light and near-infrared light, gold nanoparticles absorb visible light, and electrons (excited electrons) in a high-energy state move to lanthanum titanate and protons (hydrogen). Atomic nucleus = proton) is reduced.This makes it possible to use wideband wavelength light from sunlight, and succeeded in generating hydrogen from water with high efficiency.This was the first achievement in the world.

It is expected that the results of this research will lead to the realization of hydrogen production by solar power, which is the basis of the hydrogen-based energy society (hydrogen society), and at the same time will greatly contribute to the solution of environmental problems.

Paper Information: [Angewandte Chemie International Edition] Au / La2Ti2O7 Nanostructures Sensitized with Black Phosphorus for Plasmon-Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production in Visible and Near-Infrared Light

Osaka University

The "true value" of each person becomes the "evolution" of Osaka University.To a university that lives in the community and extends to the world

Osaka University is a research-based university with 11 faculties and 23 departments. Since its founding in 1931, with the motto of "living in the region and extending to the world," we have created an outstanding "foundation" and "power" that weaves advanced education and research capabilities, the harmony of faculty and staff, and the weight of tradition and the advantage of Osaka. I have.Taking advantage of these excellent potentials […]

→ Details of Osaka University

Related article

University Journal Online Editorial Department

This is the online editorial department of the university journal.
Articles are written by editorial staff who have a high level of knowledge and interest in universities and education.