Review and comparison of various hydrogen production methods based on costs and life cycle impact assessment indicators

Photocatalytic water splitting is considered one of the most important and appealing approaches for the production of green H2 to address the global energy demand. The utmost possible form of artificial photosynthesis is a two-step photoexcitation known as "Z-scheme", which mimics the natural photosystem. This process solely relies on the effective coupling and suitable band positions of semiconductors (SCs) and redox mediators for the purpose to catalyze the surface chemical reactions and significantly deter the backward reaction. In recent years, the Z-scheme strategies and their key role have been studied progressively through experimental approaches. In addition, theoretical studies based on density functional theory have provided detailed insight into the mechanistic aspects of some breathtakingly complex problems associated with hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction. In this context, this critical review gives an overview of the fundamentals of Z-scheme photocatalysis, including both theoretical and experimental advancements in the field of photocatalytic water splitting, and suggests future perspectives.

Photocatalytic Z-Scheme Overall Water Splitting: Recent Advances in Theory and Experiments.

0D, 1D and 2D nanomaterials for visible photoelectrochemical water splitting. A Review

This Spotlight on Applications highlights the significant impact of microwave-assisted methods for synthesis and modification of carbon materials with enhanced properties for electrodes in energy storage applications (supercapacitors and batteries). For the past few years, microwave irradiation has been increasingly used for the synthesis of carbon materials with different morphologies using various precursors. Microwave processing exhibits numerous advantages, such as short processing times, high yield, expanded reaction conditions, high reproducibility, and high purity of products. On this frontier research area, we have discussed microwave-assisted synthesis, defect creation, simultaneous reduction and exfoliation, and heteroatom doping in carbon materials. By careful manipulation of microwave irradiation parameters, the method becomes a powerful and efficient tool to generate different morphologies in carbon-based materials. Other important outcomes are the flexible control over the degree of reduction and exfoliation of graphene derivatives, the generation of defects in graphene-based materials by metals, the intercalation of metal oxides into graphene derivatives, and heteroatom doping of graphene materials. The Spotlight on Applications aims to provide a condensed overview of the current progress in carbon-based electrodes synthesized by microwave, pointing out outstanding challenges and offering a few suggestions to trigger more research endeavors in this important field.

Microwave as a Tool for Synthesis of Carbon-Based Electrodes for Energy Storage.

Mini review on H2 production from electrochemical water splitting according to special nanostructured morphology of electrocatalysts

Hydrogen production via a two-step water splitting thermochemical cycle based on metal oxide – A review

Efficient generation of hydrogen by two-step thermochemical cycles: Successive thermal reduction and water splitting reactions using equal-power microwave irradiation and a high entropy material

Thermal-exergy efficiency trade-off optimization of pressure retarded membrane distillation based on TOPSIS model

The invention relates to a device and method for decomposing a liquid chemical weapon under microwave radiation. The device comprises a gas bottle, an automatic injection device, a reactor and a microwave generation device. Carrier gas and a toxicant enter the reactor through the gas bottle and the automatic injection device respectively, the reactor comprises a top cover, a stirring rod, a discharger and a pad block, and the top cover is located on the upper portion of the reactor; the top of the stirring rod is fixedly connected with the bottom of the top cover, the discharger is composed ofa supporting base and multiple discharging metal wires, and the upper side of the supporting base is fixedly connected with one end of each discharging metal wire; the discharging metal wires are vertically placed, the base is located at the bottom of the reactor, and the discharger is located on the base; the supporting base is located on the upper surface of the base, and one end of the microwave generation device is located below the base. The discharger is located in the center of the base, and the other end of each discharging metal wire points to the center of the bottom of the stirringrod. Under the cooperation effect of microwaves and metal discharging, the toxicant is subjected to pyrolysis and oxidized, and the aim of treating toxicant liquid is achieved.

Device and method for decomposing liquid chemical weapon under microwave radiation

The invention belongs to the technical field of hydrogen production in thermochemical pathways and in particular relates to a microwave heating hydrogen production plant based on a thermochemical cycle as well as a hydrogen production method and application. The hydrogen production plant comprises a microwave generator, a gas cylinder, a vapor generator, a superheater and a reactor, wherein the microwave generator is connected with the reactor and is used for performing microwave heating on catalysts in the reactor; the gas cylinder and the vapor generator are communicated with the superheater; the superheater is communicated with the reactor; and the reacted catalysts are metallic oxides supported on silicon carbide ceramic foam. Compared with the traditional heat treatment manner, the microwave heating hydrogen production plant disclosed by the invention has the advantages that the power consumption is low by performing microwave heating on the metallic oxides, and an effective energy utilization rate is greatly improved.

Gao Yibo

Papers

Hydrogen production via a two-step water splitting thermochemical cycle based on metal oxide – A review

Efficient generation of hydrogen by two-step thermochemical cycles: Successive thermal reduction and water splitting reactions using equal-power microwave irradiation and a high entropy material

Thermal-exergy efficiency trade-off optimization of pressure retarded membrane distillation based on TOPSIS model

Device and method for decomposing liquid chemical weapon under microwave radiation

Microwave heating hydrogen production plant based on thermochemical cycle as well as hydrogen production method and application