11736nas a2200181 45000080041000002450147000412100069001882600008002573000011002654900007002765201101800283100002611301700002511327700002111352700002111373700003011394856013011424 2025 eng d00aThin-film approach for scalability and enhancement of solar hydrogen production with CNT integrated Ce-doped-TiO2 composite in direct sunlight0 aThinfilm approach for scalability and enhancement of solar hydro cSEP a1001150 v103 a

Solar hydrogen production by photocatalysis has long been considered as an important energy option. Whichever photocatalyst succeeds, methods should be available to scale-up in a most sustainable and cost-effective manner, and the present work addresses this specific issue. In the present study, Ce-doped in the TiO2 lattice (Ce-TiO2) and the same integrated with CNT (CNT-Ce-TiO2; (CCT)) composite was synthesized and characterized. Current study demonstrates the synergistic integration of Ce-TiO₂ as a light absorber and charge generator with CNTs as efficient charge separation at heterojunctions as well as charge transporter in a thin-film configuration (lab-scale (4.7 cm2), bench-scale (500 cm2)). Improved H2 generation under direct sunlight demonstrated in thin film form, than in particulate suspension, is attributed to efficient light absorption, particularly for electron-hole pair separation and their dispersion to redox sites. Additionally, the role of the binder is highlighted for improving H2 yield and the sustainability of the thin-film form of photocatalyst. ∼200 mg (1 g) CCT coated over 500 cm2 (2500 cm2) photocatalyst produced 21.6 mmol/h (102 mmol/h) H2 in sunlight. Present results provides a proof of concept that the thin film form of photocatalyst displays, at least 10 times, higher H2 yield than its powder counterpart, depending on the measurement conditions. A non-linear enhancement in H2 yield with small and large area thin-film indicates complex underlying factors and highlights the scope for further improvements.

1 aVijayarengan, Preethi1 aMaria, Anthony, Raja1 aAshadevi, K., S.1 aNalajala, Naresh1 aGopinath, Chinnakonda, S. uhttps://library.ncl.res.in/content/thin-film-approach-scalability-and-enhancement-solar-hydrogen-production-cnt-integrated-ce