Scientists Develop Scalable Solar Device for Efficient Green Hydrogen Production

In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) in Bengaluru have developed a next-generation photoelectrochemical device that efficiently generates green hydrogen using only sunlight and widely available earth-abundant materials. This innovation represents a promising step forward in the quest for affordable, clean, and scalable alternatives to fossil fuels.

The development is a major stride for India’s clean energy ambitions and global decarbonization goals, as it offers a viable, sustainable solution for green hydrogen production—long considered a holy grail of renewable energy technologies.

A Leap Towards Scalable Green Hydrogen

Green hydrogen, produced by splitting water molecules using renewable energy, is one of the cleanest and most versatile fuels available. It has the potential to revolutionize sectors such as heavy industry, transportation, power generation, and energy storage, without the carbon footprint of traditional fuels. However, producing green hydrogen at scale—without relying on rare materials or fossil fuels—has remained a major challenge, until now.

Under the leadership of Dr. Ashutosh K. Singh, the CeNS research team engineered a silicon-based photoanode using an n-i-p heterojunction architecture, composed of:

• n-type TiO₂ (Titanium Dioxide)

• intrinsic Si (Silicon)

• p-type NiO (Nickel Oxide)

These three semiconductor layers are strategically stacked to facilitate effective charge separation, minimize recombination losses, and accelerate charge transport, which are crucial to improving solar-to-hydrogen efficiency.

Industry-Ready, Precision Fabrication

The semiconductors were deposited using magnetron sputtering, a mature and scalable technique frequently used in industrial processes. This method ensures a uniform, controlled layer deposition—a crucial factor for producing reliable and large-scale devices.

Such thoughtful engineering led to a system with superior light absorption and minimal energy losses, maximizing the conversion of solar energy into usable hydrogen fuel.

Performance Milestones and Scalability

The device displayed outstanding metrics:

• Surface photovoltage of 600 mV, an indicator of strong solar response.

• Low onset potential of around 0.11 VRHE, enabling early initiation of hydrogen production under sunlight.

• Long-term operational stability exceeding 10 hours with only a 4% performance drop in alkaline environments.

Additionally, the CeNS team validated the scalability of their innovation by testing a 25 cm² photoanode, which delivered excellent solar water-splitting results without compromising efficiency. This size is significantly larger than conventional lab-scale prototypes, proving the device’s readiness for real-world applications.

Paving the Way for Sustainable Hydrogen Systems

Speaking on the innovation, Dr. Singh remarked, “By selecting smart materials and combining them into a heterostructure, we have created a device that not only boosts performance but can also be produced on a large scale. This brings us one step closer to affordable, large-scale solar-to-hydrogen energy systems.”

The results of the study were recently published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, a leading publication by the Royal Society of Chemistry, signifying international recognition of the innovation.

Applications and Future Potential

This green hydrogen-producing device opens new frontiers in:

• Decentralized energy systems for homes and buildings

• Off-grid hydrogen production units

• Renewable energy storage

• Clean fuel supply for transportation and heavy industries

Given its high efficiency, low energy input, and use of cost-effective and abundant materials, the device aligns perfectly with India’s National Hydrogen Mission, aiming to position the country as a global hub for hydrogen production and export.

Visual Summary

A schematic illustration accompanying the study shows the n-i-p heterojunction photoanode structure, highlighting charge transfer pathways and showcasing the 25 cm² device in action. Inset images include the surface photovoltage response, validating strong photo-electrocatalytic activity and scale-up potential.

As the global energy landscape shifts towards sustainability, this breakthrough from Indian scientists could become a keystone technology—bringing the dream of solar-powered hydrogen fuel closer to everyday reality.