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Updated: Mar 30, 2026
06:32
A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
Published on: August 17, 2016
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Innovative Strategy on Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Utilizing Activated Liquid Water.
Bing-Joe Hwang1, Hsiao-Chien Chen2, Fu-Der Mai2,3
1Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, No. 43, Sec. 4, Keelung Rd., Taipei 10607, Taiwan.
Scientific Reports
|November 7, 2015
Summary
This study introduces a novel method for efficient hydrogen production by activating water using hot electron transfer. This green technique enhances hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) efficiency across various conditions, paving the way for cleaner energy.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Water splitting for hydrogen production is a key green energy technology.
- Developing efficient and inexpensive catalysts is crucial for improving hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) efficiency.
- Current strategies focus on advanced catalyst design for enhanced performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present an innovative strategy for efficient HER using plasmon-activated water.
- To investigate the effect of reduced hydrogen-bonded structure via hot electron transfer on HER.
- To demonstrate the broad applicability of this method in various electrochemical and photocatalytic systems.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing plasmon-activated liquid water with a reduced hydrogen-bonded structure.
- Employing hot electron transfer for energy enhancement.
- Testing the strategy in acidic, basic, and neutral systems, including photocatalytic (g-C3N4) and inert (ITO) electrodes.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 48% increase in HER efficiency with activated water ex situ on a Pt electrode compared to deionized water.
- Observed an 18% increase in energy efficiency with activated water in situ on a nanoscale-granulated Au electrode.
- Demonstrated an onset potential of -0.023 V vs RHE, very close to the thermodynamic potential for HER, with high current density exceeding previous reports.
Conclusions:
- Plasmon-activated water via hot electron transfer offers a highly efficient pathway for hydrogen evolution.
- This approach significantly enhances HER efficiency and energy efficiency in diverse systems.
- The method presents a promising new direction for clean and green hydrogen energy production.
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