In situ photocatalytically enhanced thermogalvanic cells for electricity and hydrogen production

TLDR

High‑performance thermogalvanic cells can convert thermal energy to electricity, but their effectiveness is limited by low redox‑ion concentration differences. The study aims to create an in situ photocatalytically enhanced redox reaction that generates hydrogen and oxygen to maintain a continuous redox‑ion concentration gradient in thermogalvanic devices. This is realized by a photocatalytic redox reaction that produces hydrogen and oxygen, sustaining the ion gradient. The system exhibits a linear thermopower–hydrogen production relationship, achieving 8.2 mV K⁻¹ thermopower, 0.4 % solar‑to‑hydrogen efficiency, and a 112 cm² generator delivering 4.4 V, 20.1 mW, and 0.5 mmol H₂/0.2 mmol O₂ after 6 h outdoor operation.

Abstract

High-performance thermogalvanic cells have the potential to convert thermal energy into electricity, but their effectiveness is limited by the low concentration difference of redox ions. We report an in situ photocatalytically enhanced redox reaction that generates hydrogen and oxygen to realize a continuous concentration gradient of redox ions in thermogalvanic devices. A linear relation between thermopower and hydrogen production rate was established as an essential design principle for devices. The system exhibited a thermopower of 8.2 millivolts per kelvin and a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of up to 0.4%. A large-area generator (112 square centimeters) consisting of 36 units yielded an open-circuit voltage of 4.4 volts and a power of 20.1 milliwatts, as well 0.5 millimoles of hydrogen and 0.2 millimoles of oxygen after 6 hours of outdoor operation.