CeNS develops solar-powered device for green hydrogen production

Researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have built a device that can produce green hydrogen using only solar energy. The innovation eliminates the need for fossil fuels or expensive materials, addressing key barriers to cost-effective hydrogen production.

CeNS is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology.

The device uses a silicon-based photoanode with an n-i-p heterojunction structure. It combines n-type titanium dioxide, undoped silicon, and p-type nickel oxide. This design improves light absorption, charge separation, and charge transport, critical for converting sunlight into hydrogen.

Researchers used magnetron sputtering to deposit the materials. This method is scalable and suited for industrial use.

In lab tests, the device achieved a surface photovoltage of 600 millivolts and a low onset potential of 0.11 volts versus the reversible hydrogen electrode. It operated for over 10 hours in alkaline conditions with just a 4 per cent drop in efficiency.

The team also scaled the device to a 25 square centimetre photoanode. It showed consistent performance during solar water splitting.

With further support, this technology could aid India’s green hydrogen goals.