Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 21: In a major breakthrough toward sustainable energy, researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru—an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST)—have successfully developed a scalable, next-generation device for producing green hydrogen using only solar energy and earth-abundant materials.

Green hydrogen, a zero-emission fuel, is considered pivotal for decarbonising industries, powering clean transport, and enabling renewable energy storage. However, cost-effective and large-scale production has long been a technical and economic challenge.

Now, thanks to innovative material engineering and device design, the CeNS team has created a system that overcomes these hurdles—without depending on fossil fuels or rare, expensive elements.

“By combining smart materials into a unique heterostructure, we’ve developed a device that not only boosts performance but is also scalable for real-world applications,” explained Dr. Ashutosh K. Singh, who led the research.

Published in Journal of Materials Chemistry A, the study highlights the use of a silicon-based photoanode with an advanced n-i-p heterojunction architecture. This includes a layered combination of n-type TiO2, intrinsic (undoped) Si, and p-type NiO—semiconductors that work in synergy to improve light absorption, charge separation, and transport efficiency.

The materials were deposited using magnetron sputtering, a widely adopted, scalable manufacturing technique known for precision and industry readiness. This approach enhances device reliability while keeping costs in check.

The results were impressive:

• Surface photovoltage: 600 mV
• Low onset potential: ~0.11 V_RHE
• Stability: Over 10 hours of continuous operation in alkaline conditions with only 4% performance loss

Such long-term durability in a silicon-based photoelectrochemical system is rare and critical for commercial viability. Even more promising is its performance at scale—a 25 cm² photoanode maintained high efficiency in splitting water under sunlight, proving the device’s readiness for industrial deployment.

The researchers emphasized that their innovation integrates high efficiency, low energy input, long-term stability, and affordable materials—all in a single solution. If scaled further, this solar-powered hydrogen production technology could serve as a cornerstone for renewable energy systems across homes, factories, and transportation networks.