Pyroelectric energy harvesting for water splitting
Journal article
Xie, M, Dunn, S, Le Boulbar, E and Bowen, C R (2017). Pyroelectric energy harvesting for water splitting. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 42 (37), pp. 23437-23445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.02.086
Authors | Xie, M, Dunn, S, Le Boulbar, E and Bowen, C R |
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Abstract | Hydrogen fuel cells are a promising energy conversion technology due to its high energy density and zero greenhouse gas emission. As a result, the production of hydrogen from renewable and alternative resources has gained significant interest in recent decades. This paper demonstrates a new approach which uses a pyroelectric energy harvester for water splitting and represents a novel alternative hydrogen source. Pyroelectrics are attractive for harvesting waste heat due to their ability to convert temperature fluctuations into electrical energy. A range of pyroelectric materials and geometries for water electrolysis are analysed to determine, (i) the minimum material thickness to generate a critical potential to initialise water decomposition and, (ii) to maximize the charge and hydrogen mass production. We then successfully demonstrate that an appropriate pyroelectric material, when combined with rectification of the alternating current, can harvest heat fluctuations and generate a sufficient electric potential difference and current for water splitting. By harvesting the pyroelectric electrical energy, a continuous hydrogen bubble production was observed during thermal cycling. Practical routes to maximize the level of hydrogen production for this new concept are also explored. |
Year | 2017 |
Journal | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |
Journal citation | 42 (37), pp. 23437-23445 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
ISSN | 0360-3199 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.02.086 |
Publication dates | |
14 Sep 2017 | |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 15 Jan 2019 |
Accepted | 10 Feb 2017 |
Accepted author manuscript | License File Access Level Open |
https://openresearch.lsbu.ac.uk/item/86xv4
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Accepted author manuscript
Pyroelectric energy harvesting for water splitting_submit.docx | ||
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | ||
File access level: Open |
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