Photolytic Perfect Photoabsorber

R&D Focus Areas:
Photochemical and photocatalytic processes, Electrolysis, Nanomaterials

Lead Organisation:
CSIRO

Partners:
Not Applicable

Status:
Completed

Start date:
July 2020.

 Completion date:
June 2023.

Key contacts:
Noel Duffy Email: Noel.Duffy@csiro.au, Rowena Yew Email: Rowena.Yew@csiro.au

Funding:
Hydrogen Energy Systems Future Science Program

Project total cost:
AUD$1,280,000

Project summary description:
Many photocatalytic materials with exciting properties, for examples nanomaterials and multi-layered films, have been demonstrated using laboratory methods that are challenging to translate between laboratories and difficult to scale. The challenge of scaling up laboratory research to achieve commercial relevance is frequently underestimated, and many transitions fail at this critical stage.

In this project, we built a platform technology based on an automated spray system where photocatalytic materials produced are intrinsically scalable.  The platform capability that was developed offers flexibility to tackle various industrial challenges on the path to decarbonisation by the production of affordable photoelectrochemical panels and a manufacturing process that aligns with Australia’s net-zero commitments.

To date, the project has achieved a novel layered photoelectrochemical (PEC) materials at scale that holds the potential to significantly enhance reliability and performance.  It has also developed and demonstrated a unique material doping technique using our platform that is inherently scalable and tuneable.

• Yew et al, BiVO4 Photoanodes Prepared with Layered Gradient Mo-doping for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting 102.100.100/489842
• Melendez et al, Optimal Geometry for Plasmonic Hot-Carrier Extraction in Metal–Semiconductor Nanocrystals 10.1021/acsnano.2c10892
• Xiao et al, Dual Photolytic Pathways in an Alloyed Plasmonic Near-perfect Absorber: Implications for Photoelectrocatalysis. DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.0c03341

Higher degree studies supported:
One PhD student at RMIT University.

 

October 2023