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Efficient H2 production in a microbial photoelectrochemical cell with a composite Cu2O/NiOx photocathode under visible light

Author

Listed:
  • Liang, Dawei
  • Han, Guodong
  • Zhang, Yongjia
  • Rao, Siyuan
  • Lu, Shanfu
  • Wang, Haining
  • Xiang, Yan

Abstract

Microbial photoelectrochemical cells (MPEC) is a state-of-the-art and self-sustained ‘waste-to-energy’ solution through coupling a synergistic microbial conversion of waste organics into electron and proton in a bioanode and photoelectrochemical catalysis of proton reduction for hydrogen evolution in a photocathode. With the advantage of visible light adsorption, p-type semiconductor Cu2O has exhibited superior photocatalytic potential for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), but the instability of p-type Cu2O hinders its further practical application. Here, we fabricated a Cu2O/NiOx composite photocathode by spin coating a thin film of NiOx on Cu2O photocathode to improve its stability and photocurrent. Results showed that NiOx layer on Cu2O had a trade-off effect on photocathode performance. The thicker of NiOx film on Cu2O, the lower of the photocurrent, but more stable of the Cu2O electrode. With an optimal 240nm thickness of NiOx layer, the Cu2O/NiOx composite photocathode extracted excited electrons effectively, and a H2 production rate of 5.09μLh−1cm−2 was obtained from a MPEC under continuous light illumination with 0.2V external bias. By tuning the synergistic effect of bioanode and photocathode, MPEC could provide a feasible solution on simultaneously organic conversion and energy restoration from wastewater and solar light.

Suggested Citation

  • Liang, Dawei & Han, Guodong & Zhang, Yongjia & Rao, Siyuan & Lu, Shanfu & Wang, Haining & Xiang, Yan, 2016. "Efficient H2 production in a microbial photoelectrochemical cell with a composite Cu2O/NiOx photocathode under visible light," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 544-549.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:168:y:2016:i:c:p:544-549
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.01.118
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. He, Yan-Rong & Yan, Fang-Fang & Yu, Han-Qing & Yuan, Shi-Jie & Tong, Zhong-Hua & Sheng, Guo-Ping, 2014. "Hydrogen production in a light-driven photoelectrochemical cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 164-168.
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    Cited by:

    1. A K M Khabirul Islam & Patrick S. M. Dunlop & Neil J. Hewitt & Rose Lenihan & Caterina Brandoni, 2021. "Bio-Hydrogen Production from Wastewater: A Comparative Study of Low Energy Intensive Production Processes," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-27, February.
    2. Zeng, Qingyi & Bai, Jing & Li, Jinhua & Li, Linsen & Xia, Ligang & Zhou, Baoxue & Sun, Yugang, 2018. "Highly-stable and efficient photocatalytic fuel cell based on an epitaxial TiO2/WO3/W nanothorn photoanode and enhanced radical reactions for simultaneous electricity production and wastewater treatme," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 127-137.
    3. Ghorbani, Masoomeh & Solaimany Nazar, Ali Reza & Farhadian, Mehrdad & Tangestaninejad, Shahram, 2023. "Efficient tetracycline degradation and electricity production in photocatalytic fuel cell based on ZnO nanorod/BiOBr/UiO-66-NH2 photoanode and Cu2O/CuO photocathode," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    4. Cai, Weiwei & Liu, Wenzong & Sun, Haishu & Li, Jiaqi & Yang, Liming & Liu, Meijun & Zhao, Shenlong & Wang, Aijie, 2018. "Ni5P4-NiP2 nanosheet matrix enhances electron-transfer kinetics for hydrogen recovery in microbial electrolysis cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 56-64.
    5. Fischer, Fabian, 2018. "Photoelectrode, photovoltaic and photosynthetic microbial fuel cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 16-27.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Microbial photoelectrochemical cell; Cu2O; NiOx; H2 production;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue

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