A floatable photocatalytic platform made from a porous elastomer–hydrogel nanocomposite has been developed for converting solar energy into hydrogen fuel. This platform enables efficient light delivery, a facile supply of reactant and rapid product separation to achieve high hydrogen-evolution rates. Large-scale and seawater experiments indicate the potential for scale-up and practical application.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals
Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription
$29.99 /Â 30Â days
cancel any time
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Schultz, D. M. & Yoon, T. P. Solar synthesis: prospects in visible light photocatalysis. Science 343, 1239176 (2014). A review article that presents solar synthesis through photocatalysis.
Lee, B.-H. et al. Electronic interaction between transition metal single-atoms and anatase TiO2 boosts CO2 photoreduction with H2O. Energy Environ. Sci. 15, 601–609 (2022). This paper reports CO2 reduction by heterogeneous photocatalysis.
Hoffmann, M. R. et al. Environmental applications of semiconductor photocatalysis. Chem. Rev. 95, 69–96 (1995). A review article that presents the applications of semiconductor photocatalysis.
Wang, Q. et al. Scalable water splitting on particulate photocatalyst sheets with a solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency exceeding 1%. Nat. Mater. 15, 611–615 (2016). This paper reports a particulate-sheet-type system for solar H2 production.
Nishiyama, H. et al. Photocatalytic solar hydrogen production from water on a 100 m2-scale. Nature 598, 304–307 (2021). This paper reports a panel-type system for solar H2 production.
Additional information
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
This is a summary of: Lee, W. H. et al. Floatable photocatalytic hydrogel nanocomposites for large-scale solar hydrogen production. Nat. Nanotechnol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-023-01385-4 (2023).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
A floatable photocatalytic nanocomposite to facilitate scale-up of solar hydrogen production. Nat. Nanotechnol. 18, 704–705 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-023-01388-1
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-023-01388-1
